DISTRIBUTION AND ALTERNATIVES
Washington State excels as a global logistics & distribution center, bringing goods and services to people all over the United States and the world via air, land, or sea. The state is fortunate to have a strategic geographical location, being equidistant between Europe and Asia and next door to Canada. And Washington’s historic maritime industry has fostered a large and well trained workforce with great international expertise in supply and logistics. These factors all add to Washington’s competitive edge as an established and growing trading hub.
Washington State boasts the 3rd largest container shipping center in North America. In 2013, $81.9 billion in goods were shipped worldwide from Washington State by 8,400+ companies. Part of this record success is due to the state’s location – Washington is equidistant between Europe and Asia, its ports closer to Asia than California’s ports in fact, making it possible to move goods across the globe efficiently and economically. The state also has an excellent waterway transportation system with many natural harbors and is next door to the U.S.’s largest trading partner, Canada. These natural assets led the way for the state’s thriving maritime industry made up of 75 public ports, 2,100 companies and over 57,000 workers.
Washington State is also a prime location to ship goods via land or air. There are 139 regional airports, three interstate highways, and two transcontinental railroads, connecting Washington State to every major city in the United States. Seattle-Tacoma International airport is a major passenger and air cargo airport, currently the 15th busiest in the United States and 40th in the world, and offers direct routes to 12 different countries. Over 34.7 million passengers and close to 300,000 metric tons of air cargo went through Sea-Tac in 2013. Alaska Airlines has its headquarters in Washington State, and Delta Airlines is actively establishing Washington State as its trans-Pacific hub. There are also 11 Foreign Trade Zones in the state that helps make importing and/or exporting goods more cost and time effective.
Overall, Washington State is an ideal place to expand or grow a business thanks to its strategic location and diverse, top-class distribution infrastructure.
Washington State boasts the 3rd largest container shipping center in North America. In 2013, $81.9 billion in goods were shipped worldwide from Washington State by 8,400+ companies. Part of this record success is due to the state’s location – Washington is equidistant between Europe and Asia, its ports closer to Asia than California’s ports in fact, making it possible to move goods across the globe efficiently and economically. The state also has an excellent waterway transportation system with many natural harbors and is next door to the U.S.’s largest trading partner, Canada. These natural assets led the way for the state’s thriving maritime industry made up of 75 public ports, 2,100 companies and over 57,000 workers.
Washington State is also a prime location to ship goods via land or air. There are 139 regional airports, three interstate highways, and two transcontinental railroads, connecting Washington State to every major city in the United States. Seattle-Tacoma International airport is a major passenger and air cargo airport, currently the 15th busiest in the United States and 40th in the world, and offers direct routes to 12 different countries. Over 34.7 million passengers and close to 300,000 metric tons of air cargo went through Sea-Tac in 2013. Alaska Airlines has its headquarters in Washington State, and Delta Airlines is actively establishing Washington State as its trans-Pacific hub. There are also 11 Foreign Trade Zones in the state that helps make importing and/or exporting goods more cost and time effective.
Overall, Washington State is an ideal place to expand or grow a business thanks to its strategic location and diverse, top-class distribution infrastructure.