A recent economic impact analysis highlights the significant role of The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), the Port of Tacoma, and the Port of Seattle in driving the regional and state economy, supporting over 265,000 jobs in 2023.
Collectively, these organizations generated an impressive $17.7 billion in wages and benefits, alongside a staggering nearly $55 billion in business output.
This analysis represents a comprehensive overview of the Seattle-Tacoma gateway, considering multiple sectors, including marine cargo, aviation, real estate, commercial fishing, and the cruise industry.
This marks the first instance in which all lines of business have been evaluated together, offering new insights into their collaborative economic impact.
The analysis covers a range of jobs, from direct roles such as longshore workers and truck drivers to indirect jobs and induced economic benefits.
This breadth of analysis demonstrates the amplifying economic effect that the combined activities of these organizations have on the region’s economy.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) plays a critical role in the management of marine cargo across both the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma.
In 2023, the NWSA handled nearly 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containerized cargo, reinforcing its status as one of the largest gateways in the U.S.
Moreover, the NWSA is a vital entry point for auto imports and breakbulk cargo, supporting roughly 52,100 jobs, including 18,000 direct jobs, and generating $4.4 billion in total wages and benefits, along with nearly $14 billion in total business output across Washington state.
The Port of Tacoma also plays a significant role in regional trade and economic activity.
According to the recent analysis, trade through the NWSA’s South Harbor and other Port of Tacoma operations supported more than 41,000 jobs, contributing $3.4 billion in wages and benefits, with a business output reaching almost $10.8 billion.
John McCarthy, Co-Chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Tacoma Commission President, emphasized the importance of trade to Washington’s economy.
He stated, “We often talk about Washington being the most trade dependent state in the nation. What we don’t always talk about is how the trade that comes through our gateway is the catalyst for a robust supply chain ecosystem and quality living wage jobs across the state.
We aren’t just dependent on trade; we excel at it.”
He further underscored the national significance of this trade, noting that it serves as a hub for Idaho farmers and Midwest consumers, highlighting the role these ports play on a national scale.
The Port of Seattle, another vital component of the region’s economic landscape, contributed significantly as well.
In 2023, the Port supported nearly 205,000 total jobs and generated approximately $39 billion in business output, with a fiscal impact to the state totaling $396 million.
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the largest business line for the Port of Seattle, played a major role by supporting nearly 175,000 jobs, providing $10.5 billion in wages and benefits while contributing $33.3 billion in business output.
Additionally, the burgeoning cruise business at the Port of Seattle is anticipated to support 5,120 jobs in 2025, with expectations of generating nearly $327 million in wages and benefits and over $1.2 billion in business output.
Moreover, the commercial fishing sector associated with the Port of Seattle played its part by supporting 8,790 jobs in 2023, leading to $484 million in wages and benefits and more than $1 billion in business output.
The Port’s other business lines, including real estate, maritime moorage, and recreational boating, further bolstered the local economy by supporting an additional 16,035 jobs in 2023, resulting in nearly $1.3 billion in wages and benefits, along with just under $3.3 billion in business output.
Toshiko Hasegawa, Co-Chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Seattle Commission President, expressed optimism regarding future developments.
She remarked, “At the Port of Seattle, we’re building the port of the future ‒ one that drives economic opportunity, safeguards family-wage jobs, and advances environmental stewardship.
This report reaffirms that our marine cargo and aviation gateways are vital to the economic health of our region.
And just as important, it reflects the strength of our decade-long collaboration between the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma through The Northwest Seaport Alliance ‒ proving what’s possible when we come together with a shared vision for sustainable, inclusive growth.”
The economic impact analysis was prepared by Community Attributes, Inc. It quantifies jobs, income, and business output that are directly supported by port activities while additionally measuring nearby services connected to port operations, such as warehousing and off-site transloading, alongside the broader economic and fiscal impacts of these activities within the state.
The Port of Tacoma, one of the largest container ports in the U.S., is inherently positioned on Commencement Bay in south Puget Sound, utilizing its natural deepwater capabilities.
Spanning across 2,500 acres, the port features a diverse range of maritime and industrial-related enterprises.
As a key economic engine in Pierce County, real estate and marine cargo operations at the Port of Tacoma support over 41,000 jobs and approximately $3 billion in labor income.
Meanwhile, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, a strategic collaboration formed in 2015 between the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma, is dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of the Seattle-Tacoma gateway in the global shipping arena.
As one of North America’s largest port systems, the NWSA is pivotal in driving regional economic growth by managing substantial volumes of containerized, breakbulk, and Ro-Ro cargo, thereby connecting local businesses with global markets and sustaining a robust supply chain.
The Port of Seattle, established in 1911 through a popular vote, has a mission to foster economic prospects and improve quality of life within the region by promoting trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in a fair, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.
The Port manages the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Fishermen’s Terminal — a base for the North Pacific fishing fleet — and public marinas, as well as owning two cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, real estate assets, and marine cargo terminals through its partnership in The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Port of Seattle operations facilitate approximately 205,000 jobs and contribute over $12 billion in wages to the region.
In line with its ambitious Century Agenda, the Port aims to generate an additional 100,000 jobs in the next 12 years and to position itself as the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port.
image source from：portseattle
