Seattle gets behind the blue economy

Investing in the Washington Maritime Blue partnership supports the port’s ‘Century Agenda’ objectives to be the greenest and most energy efficient port in North America and to responsibly invest in the economic growth of the region and all its communities.

“The Port of Seattle is committed to investing in ways to advance innovation and sustainability in the maritime industry through partnerships with organisations like Washington Maritime Blue,” said Fred Felleman, Port of Seattle Commission Vice President and Maritime Blue Board member.

It’s more important than ever as we look to jumpstart our economy that we draw from the maritime expertise, entrepreneurial spirt and environmental ethic inherent in the Northwest to help assure that the economic recovery of our region.”

GHG reduction

The Port of Seattle has already partnered with Maritime Blue over the past year to advance maritime innovation initiatives, including a successful business accelerator programme which identified access to capital issues facing the maritime industry and worked with the port on greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

Maritime Blue also helps introduce youth from a diversity of backgrounds to job opportunities through the management of the Youth Maritime Collaborative with additional support from the Port of Seattle and the City of Seattle.

Seattle takes its environmental work seriously.

The port recently approved an interlocal agreement to restore a segment of Miller Creek in Burien and SeaTac. The project will see the port contribute USD$800,000 to a USD$3.5 million joint project that will help replace a failing culvert and create 450 feet of new salmon habitat on port property along Des Moines Memorial Drive.

Not only will this project preserve and enhance the Pacific Northwest populations of salmon and orcas, it will also help protect the region’s natural waterways.