King County Maritime Works

Today, our maritime industry has never been stronger – or more important to our region. Around here, maritime matters.

Washington State’s Maritime industry is rooted in the State’s rich history of timber production, its location as a trade hub, and its proximity to some of the world’s most productive fisheries. And we’ve always been the primary gateway to Alaska and Asia.

Our maritime industry is annually worth $37.8billion to the state economy, according to a 2017 study by the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle and King County. In 2015, the industry directly employed 69,500 workers, with an average salary of $69,500 – nearly $20,000 above the state’s median salary!

Washington is also the most trade dependent state in the United States. Today, four in ten jobs in Washington are tied to international trade, according to the Port of Seattle.

And the maritime industry is thriving!

The growth of the industry is not just in shipping. You can see the strength of the industry at our shipyards, cruise ship terminals, Fishermen’s Terminal, Shilshole Bay Marina, ferry terminals and maritime businesses throughout Washington.

Because around here, Our Maritime Matters.

To learn more, click here. And be sure to check out our YouTube Channel to watch our Maritime Matters videos!

Maritime remains crucial to Washington’s economy

The Washington Maritime Federation released the Washington State Maritime Sector Economic Impact Study 2017 Update. This study updates the seminal 2013 study of the same name and provides a detailed analysis of the positive economic impact of the state’s maritime industry.

The study finds the maritime sector directly supported 69,500 jobs, nearly $4.7 billion in wages, and $17.1 billion in business revenue in 2015. The average wage for a maritime worker was $67,000 in 2015 compared to the statewide average of $56,700, a significant increase over the 2013 study. For every direct job in maritime, an additional 1.8 jobs are supported through secondary impacts. When these indirect and induced impacts are factored in, the sector provided 191,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in revenue statewide.

“This study builds upon past efforts and clearly shows the maritime industry is a cornerstone of the State’s economy, providing family wage jobs and real opportunities for the next generation of maritime workers. We’ve seen consistent growth across all subsectors of the industry since the 2013 study release and we feel confident about the continued growth of maritime in the years to come,” said Washington Maritime Federation Director Mark Gleason.

Maritime remains crucial to Washington’s economy

Jon Talton, The Seattle Times

Download the 2017 Washington State Maritime Sector Economic Impact Study here.

Download the 2017 Washington State Maritime Sector Economic Impact Study Infographic here.

A Five Star Working Watefront

King County, Washington, is the region’s center for workboats, the fishing industry and shipyards. It’s home to thousands of maritime businesses, which employ more than 250,000 people.

To support the growth of current maritime businesses and to attract new maritime businesses, local business associations, businesses, labor and government agencies have partnered together.

Our King County Maritime Matters. We have a great story to tell about a thriving and growing economic sector. About environmental stewardship efforts and community involvement. And about being a partner in solving regional issues such as freight mobility, transportation, land use, economic competitiveness and workforce development.

We are a Five Star Working Waterfront

1. Significant Economic Impact - The region’s maritime industry cluster makes a significant contribution to our regional and global economies.

2. Quality Jobs - The industry offers well-paying family wage jobs and diverse career opportunities.

3. Excellent Products and Services - The maritime cluster delivers excellent products and services with the highest level of customer service.

4. Commitment to Sustainability - The industry is committed to environmental sustainability and the long term health and vitality of the community.

5. Growing the Working Waterfront - Our region is passionate about the maritime industry, growing the working waterfront economic sector and building strong working partnerships between businesses, labor, the community and government.

King County Maritime is not another association, it’s a movement to give the industry a voice. We invite your participation and support!