Seattle, Tacoma ports support tens of thousands of jobs, study shows

Marine cargo operations at ports in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., supported more than 48,000 jobs in 2013 that generated nearly $4.3 billion in economic activity, according to a recent study jointly commissioned by the two ports.

Cargo activity produced more than $378 million in local and state taxes to support education, police, fire services and road improvements, the study shows. Martin Associates conducted the study.
 
Direct jobs include those employed by railroads and trucking companies that move cargo to and from port terminals and warehouses, as well as longshore workers, steamship agents and freight forwarders. Indirect jobs include positions at office supply firms, maintenance and repair firms, and parts and equipment suppliers.

If farmers and manufacturers that ship products through the ports are factored in, the ports' activities reach 443,000 jobs overall in Washington, port officials said in a press release.
 
"This clearly is a thriving, important industry in our state, and we need to continue investing and adapting to changing global trade to meet market demand," said Tacoma Port Commission President Clare Petrich. "We continue to explore with our fellow commissioners from the Port of Seattle ways that we can work more closely together to maintain these critical jobs and grow cargo volumes through the Puget Sound region."