Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center: Maritime and the Economy

Maritime and the Economy: Economic Impacts of the Maritime Industries on the Regional and Global economies

How the maritime industries impact our daily lives, here in the Pacific Northwest:

	Washington is the most trade dependent state in the nation (Office of Trade and Economic Development).
	Puget Sound is the most export dependent metropolitan area in the United States (Washington Council on International Trade).
	The Puget Sound region (Ports of Seattle and Tacoma) handles the second largest amount of container ship traffic in North America (America Association of Port Authorities).
	One third of the jobs in Washington State are related to trade and the maritime and fisheries industry sectors (Port of Seattle).
	The Port of Seattle’s top trading partners by dollar value are Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong (Port of Seattle).
	The Port of Seattle’s top exports are beef, pork, poultry, industrial equipment and inorganic chemicals. Their top imports are apparel, office and data processing machines and parts, motor vehicle parts, electronics and telecommunications equipment (Port of Seattle).
	Washington State’s top exports are $42 million worth of aircraft, forest products and high tech equipment. Top imports are $65 million in high tech equipment, forest products and motor vehicle parts (Port of Seattle).
	In 1996, saltwater sport-fishing brought $25 billion to the U.S. and $400 million in Washington State alone (American Sport fishing Association - ASA).
	Cruise ships at the Port of Seattle added more than $29 million to the local economy in 2001 (Port of Seattle).

	Almost 16 million Americans work in Port-related jobs (American Association of Port Authorities - AAPA).
	According to U.S. Customs, the volume of imported cargo moving through U.S. ports will triple by the year 2020 (AAPA).
	U.S. container cargo is projected to more than double in the next 12 years and to increase sevenfold over the next 50 years, severely stressing the nation's port, rail and highway infrastructures (AAPA).
	Beach tourism contributes $170 billion to the U.S. economy (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).
	Tourism in general creates $2.9 trillion in revenue worldwide, and $746 billion in the United States (U.S. Army).