Washington state’s maritime industry has an economic impact of approximately $46 billion and creates more than 170,000 jobs, including marine logistics and maritime transportation, shipbuilding and repair, commercial fishing and aquatic products, according to a new study from the Washington Maritime Federation. Production is the top sector.
“The average annual compensation for maritime jobs is $112,000, including benefits,” according to the federation, which released its 2023 Maritime Job Survey in Seattle on Nov. 9. pacific ocean exposition. “This study details an industry that is the foundation of our state’s economy and a leader in innovation and sustainability.”
The report, titled “The Economic Impact of Washington’s Maritime Industry,” was compiled for the federation by the McKinley Research Group in collaboration with High Peak Strategy. The full report is available at: www.maritimefederation.com.
“Washington State’s maritime economy has long brought economic prosperity to our region,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed. “Our culture of commerce and trade was built in the ports of Puget Sound. ” he said. “Today, this tradition continues to benefit the entire state, and indeed the nation.”
Overall, Washington’s maritime sector contributes more than $382 million, both direct and indirect. Impact on Washington state revenue.
According to the report, maritime logistics and shipping have been the most affected, with 23,500 jobs being created.
Shipbuilding, repair and maintenance follows, employing 18,500 workers in 61 shipyards and shipyards. The largest employer so far is the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, which employs 13,500 civilian Defense Department employees. Major commercial shipyards include: vitality (with locations in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Vancouver, and Port Angeles), Dakota Creek (Anacortes), westport yacht (Port Angeles), and safe boat (Bremerton and Tacoma).
Commercial fishing and seafood processing employs 8,300 people Annual equivalent amount More than half of those jobs, about 4,650 positions, are in “seafood preparation and packaging,” which includes shore-based processing operations and jobs at the Washington-based company, which operates primarily in the nation’s northern waters. Includes the crew of a large catcher-processor fishing boat. Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.
Water transportation and mass transit are paramount to the state’s economy, and the Washington State Ferry Company operates the largest fleet of ferries in the United States. Approximately 4,600 people are employed in the transportation sector throughout the state.
Although the majority of our activities occur along Puget Sound, our operations range from commercial fishing and seafood production along the Washington coast to river port facilities and rail connections, recreational boating, and logistics operations across central and eastern Washington. , maritime operations are widespread throughout the state.
“This study speaks to the critical importance of the maritime industry to Washington state.” Chad See is the president of the Washington Maritime Federation and executive director of the Frozen Longline Coalition. “The Maritimes power our economy, revitalize our communities, and deliver goods to consumers around the world. Through innovation, investment in our workforce, and hard work, the Maritimes continues to serve our state. Masu.”
The maritime industry has a diverse workforce, from executives to factory floor workers and fishermen. Maritime workers have a variety of skills and educational backgrounds. The most common maritime jobs in 2022 are welders, cutters, solders, and brazers, followed by freight forwarders, heavy truck and tractor-trailer truck drivers, labor and freight transport, inventory transport, and material handling. Followed by contractors, captains, navigators, and pilots. water container. Many of these positions do not require a four-year college degree and offer workers a living wage.
Washington is also a hub for maritime innovation, with dozens of local startups developing products ranging from kelp-based snacks to delivery logistics apps to new ballast water treatment systems.
As awareness of the industry’s impact on our oceans and waterways increases, Washington state’s industry is working to improve the environment through more efficient vessel designs, reducing the impact of underwater noise on wildlife, cleaner fuels, and improved shipping routes. We are strengthening our efforts to minimize the impact of
Mr See said the industry is poised to meet future challenges through workforce development initiatives, technological innovation and environmental stewardship. He said: “A number of education and training programs have been developed in recent years to address current and future workforce shortages in the maritime sector, including apprenticeship programs, skills centers and the state’s first maritime high school.” .
“The maritime industry needs talent from all communities at all levels. Opportunities exist for everyone,” said Anne Avary, director of the Northwest Center of Excellence in Marine Manufacturing and Technology in Anacortes. .
Washington state has created a statewide plan to address workforce maritime needs called the Washington State Workforce Development Pathway, Avary said. The state wants to raise awareness of the needs of industries including boating, shipbuilding, ship repair, fishing and seafood, transportation tugs, ferries and more.
“Training for a maritime career does not require a four-year college degree, so students don’t have to take on large amounts of debt to get started. The nine-month program at Seattle Maritime Academy includes , can cost a lot of money. For just $11,000, students can have a clear path to a starting salary of more than $60,000 per year, depending on the position,” said Dale, Seattle Maritime Academy Associate Dean. Bateman said. “Even better, programs like Seattle Promise offer free tuition.”
To learn more about maritime training programs and careers, please visit:
https://www.washingtonmaritimecareers.org/programs.