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Building a Port for the Future

Supporting a thriving maritime industry and creating a clean energy economy hub in SODO is critical for our local economy.  

Maintaining industrial lands and investing in a clean energy economy will:

  • position our region as the center of a global maritime transformation
  • provide real jobs for real people
  • support our state’s agricultural and manufacturing industries
  • maintain an efficient transportation corridor to speed goods to market 

Opportunity

Make the maritime industry the sustainable driver of our economy for the next century. The forthcoming decision on the United States Coast Guard Seattle Base expansion sets in motion a new chapter for Seattle’s waterfront. 

Current fossil fuel-dependent industries are launching work to decarbonize operations in the next 25 years. Industrial activity, design, clean energy, and sustainability projects will flourish in the next quarter century.  

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to merge technology, environmental sustainability, our deepwater port, maritime industrial lands, and a diverse local workforce to establish this region as a hub for the clean energy economy.

Vision

The global transformation of the maritime industry is centered in the SODO neighborhood. This vision will generate quality jobs for the future in one of the region’s largest job centers.

 

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SODO is the right location

Industrial lands in the SODO neighborhood are the future home of a Green Technology Hub to include advanced manufacturing, logistics, and clean energy — the same way that South Lake Union is a center for biotech and technology companies. SODO’s location and existing infrastructure make it the only choice to deliver economic development and maritime career opportunities worthy of the region.

  • Land use policy in SODO was already determined in 2023 by the passage of the City of Seattle’s industrial land legislation
  • Changing this decision to benefit one property would upend a promised decade of certainty that industrial lands would be free from incompatible uses
  • Plans for the SODO neighborhood and Duwamish region should focus on transforming the area into a global center of the sustainable maritime industry

Building North America’s greenest port

The Port of Seattle continues to invest in sustainability efforts to decarbonize its operations. Supporting the Blue (maritime) and Green (sustainable technology) economies together in one place will transform SODO into a home for clean energy and the global transformation of the maritime industry.

Investing in the port for the future

The Port of Seattle is making strategic maritime capital program investments of $605.6 million over the next five years in infrastructure, energy and sustainability, and technology.

Supporting job creation and economic development

The regional maritime economy supports over 23,359 jobs and contributes $4.5B to the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This vision will generate quality jobs for the future in one of the region’s largest job centers. It will drive economic opportunity in our region and support industries and agriculture across the state of Washington.

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