In the global economy, U.S. and foreign companies that operate at west coast ports play an increasingly vital role as an employer, regional economic force and principal gateway for exports and imports.  Our ports serve as the export gateway for US goods sold overseas and the entry point for raw materials that feed the nation’s manufacturing industry, supply high-tech electronic and mechanical components and computers, and fill the shelves of retail stores.  However, seaports are just one step in the international goods movement chain that also involves onshore transport of goods via the trucking, rail and air industries.   

Shipping companies and terminal operators at west coast ports provide the nation’s primary gateway for international trade.

• Foreign trade through California ports totaled $359 billion in 2004 and $67 billion through Washington ports. 
• Our companies generate some $780 billion to the U.S. Gross National Product, create approximately 16 million jobs nationwide and generate approximately $210 billion in local, state and federal tax revenues.
• Almost half of the cargo-laden containers bound for the North Atlantic states was delivered by ships and terminal operators at west coast ports in 2003. 
• Almost 95 percent of the containerized Asian cargo destined for Central and Mountain states entered the country through west coast ports.