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Explanation of Port's 2009 Tax Levy Rate (23 KB, PDF)
The Port of Seattle plays a key role in bringing international trade, transportation and travel to the Pacific Northwest, and supports industries as diverse as tourism and commercial fishing. The Port is also a key builder of road and rail infrastructure, partnering with other agencies to improve freight traffic from Tacoma to Everett.
The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport - the nation’s 17th busiest – handling more than 31.2 million passengers in 2009. The Port’s passenger cruise terminals at Pier 66 and Smith Cove Terminal will handle 223 ship calls and an estimated 858,000 passengers during the 2010 season.
State-of-the-art cargo handling facilities helped rank Seattle as the nation’s 8th busiest U.S. seaport in 2009, serving 22 international steamship lines moving more than 2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent unit containers). The Port also operates four public marinas, and manages a number of real estate assets for financial return and broad economic advantage.
The Port’s vision is to be the cleanest, greenest, most energy-efficient port in the nation, and uses the tagline, “Where a sustainable world is headed” to communicate that goal. The Puget Sound region is already in attainment of federal air quality standards, and the Port’s many environmental programs are designed for real benefits to the community and a competitive edge for our customers.
The Port of Seattle’s economic impact is strong. Seattle’s Seaport and Airport generate nearly 200,000 jobs throughout the region with payroll in excess of $6.8 billion. Five commissioners, elected at large by the voters of King County, Washington, serve four-year terms and establish Port of Seattle policy. The chief executive officer, in carrying out these policies, leads 1,700 employees and oversees Port programs.
