Date:  Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Contact: Vickie Sheehan, WSDOT, 360-705-7904 
Kathleen Olson, WPPA, 360-943-0760

OLYMPIA - Governor Gregoire joined state transportation and Ports Association officials to announce the release of the 2009 Marine Cargo Forecast.

According to the forecast released today by the Washington Public Ports Association and the Washington State Department of Transportation, the current downturn in container cargo imports is temporary, and that cargo for most commodity types is expected to increase significantly over the next 20 years.

“The results of this study confirm that international trade is Washington’s bread and butter, and our ports are the gateways we depend on to keep our economy moving, said Gregoire. “This forecast provides a vision of the cargo and family-wage jobs that could come our way if we make the right choices now.”

The 2009 Marine Cargo Forecast is issued every five years and it identifies both the future trade opportunities available for Washington State and the needs for an efficient multimodal system that will allow shippers a choice and will keep transportation rates competitive.

The volume of waterborne cargo moving through Washington ports is expected to grow by an estimated two-thirds between now and 2030. Cargo will increase from 112.5 million tons in 2007 to 150.3 million tons in 2030, with most of this growth coming from imports. For instance, automobile imports throughout the state are expected to increase nearly four percent annually. International container cargo at Puget Sound ports is projected to grow from nearly 3.8 million containers in 2007 to 9.7 million in the year 2030 - a 4 percent annual growth rate.

The forecast is based on many indicators including global economic factors such as the growth in China’s economy and other Pacific Rim countries, international trade, and Washington State’s geographically competitive position on the largest artery of commerce in the world.

“In order for Washington to handle the forecasted marine cargo growth over the next 20 years, we must continue to work towards necessary improvements in railways, highways and waterways,” said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. “Although we have road and rail projects underway to support our freight corridors and rail lines, we have more work to do to increase our transportation capacity.”

Washington ports and WSDOT are investing in infrastructure to improve connectivity, add capacity, and relieve freight congestion. Several projects that will improve port access and freight mobility are proposed, funded, or underway. The following projects have been identified as the highest priority within the next eight years (by 2017):

• Vancouver Washington Freight Rail Bypass
• Point Defiance Bypass from Tacoma to Nisqually
• Third main line Kalama to Kelso
• Port of Vancouver USA Freight Access Project.

A copy of the 2009 Marine Cargo Forecast is available at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Freight/publications.  

< Back to News Home