Port of Tacoma report: 2023 cargo supports tens of thousands of jobs; shore power, Maritime Center and training projects advance

A regional economic-impact study released this year found the Port of Tacoma and partner operations supported tens of thousands of jobs and billions in wages and business output in 2023, port officials said. The Port of Tacoma also reported progress on shore power hookups, an emergency-response exercise and construction at the Port Maritime Center.

The report, commissioned by the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle, concluded that combined cargo business in the South Harbor and related lines of business supported more than 41,000 jobs and roughly $3.4 billion in wages and benefits in 2023 for the South Harbor alone, and that all lines of business across the three organizations supported more than 265,000 jobs and $17.7 billion in wages and benefits regionwide. "The supply chain, the economic impact generated from that cargo, and the movement of that cargo is really substantial," said Graham Johnson of the Port of Tacoma.

Port officials described operational and infrastructure milestones in June. For the first time, a vessel at Husky Terminal used a post-commissioning plug-in to shore power, allowing a ship to shut down diesel engines while at berth. The port also led a regional tabletop exercise on shipboard emergency response focused on fires aboard roll-on/roll-off car carriers; firefighters toured a roll-on/roll-off vessel to familiarize themselves with vessel layouts and maritime fire suppression protocols.

Construction is continuing at the Port Maritime Center. Crews poured concrete footings for a new port business office along the Foss Waterway, and the site will include a 200-foot dock approved in June for government and education vessels. Work is also underway on the Maritime 253 skill center, a career and technical education building intended to open in 2026 and serve high school juniors and seniors across Pierce County.

Port commissioners in June met with Pierce County council members to discuss industrial lands, housing and workforce development. State Representative Andrew Barkis, ranking member of the state House transportation committee, also toured port facilities during the month.

Port staff noted continuing public engagement opportunities: the port's hazard mitigation planning process includes a public survey about natural hazards and emergency notification systems open through July 31 at portoftacoma.com, and the port’s public events and meetings schedule is available online. The Port of Tacoma also raised a pride flag above its administration building on June 17 as part of Pride Month recognition.

The port said more program details and background are available at portoftacoma.com.