Washington's public ports along Puget Sound, the Pacific Coast and the Columbia/Snake River System handle billions of dollars worth of international cargo every year. The ports are a vital link to truck and rail freight movement in Washington, handling goods and cargo originating from or destined for locations throughout the state, the United States and overseas.
Most of the state's waterborne commerce flows through 12 deep-water marine and river ports and more than a dozen shallow-water facilities on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Freight movement in Puget Sound is becoming increasingly dominated by containerized cargo. The Central Puget Sound's ports of Seattle and Tacoma form one of the top three containerized cargo load centers in the Western Hemisphere.
Barge transport is used from upriver elevators on the Columbia/Snake River system and accounts for a substantial portion of grain exports via Lower Columbia ports. In addition, barge transport connects Puget Sound ports with shippers on the Olympic Peninsula and in British Columbia.
Local port districts operate and manage port facilities. The federal government provides navigation channels, locks and navigation aids.
See also: Marine Ports and Navigation Facilities