The volume of international trade that crosses our state – using every transportation system and mode – is huge and growing.
In 2002, the value of shipments in international trade moving through Washington State’s seaports, landports, and airports totaled $95.8 billion. A total of $41.73 billion of exports left Washington bound for foreign markets and $54.1 billion of imports entered from foreign economies.*
The charts below show the modal split, by value, of international trade through Washington State in 2002. Water modes of transportation and seaports dominate in the value of imports and surface modes of transportation (mostly airplanes manufactured by Boeing, which is classified as land transportation by customs) dominate in the value of exports.
International Exports Leaving the U.S. through Washington
Modal Share by Value, 2002
International Imports Entering the U.S. through Washington
Modal Share by Value, 2002
About 5 percent of U.S. international trade entered or left the country through Washington State, 6 percent of U.S. exports and a little less than 5 percent of U.S. imports. This means that 4 percent of North American exports left through Washington State, which is also about one-half of a percent of total world exports.
The total tonnage of international goods moving through Washington State’s gateways is also big.
Movement of international trade through and within Washington State requires every mode of transportation. Seaports, airports, and rail and roadway border crossings are the entry and exit gates for international freight movement. Goods reach or leave these gateway points by land (rail and truck), water and inland barges.**
The national importance of these gateways is shown by their national ranking:
Sources: The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highways Administration 1998 for tonnage and USDOT
Bureau of Transportation Statistics 2001 for Value
*This captures total movement of trade through Washington State, regardless of initial origin or final destination. This data is especially useful in determining the total value of trade as it specifically relates to transportation. For example, goods leaving through Washington ports that were actually manufactured in Oregon still travel on Washington’s transportation systems.
** Airfreight is also sometimes used to transport more time sensitive goods to/from the contiguous U.S. states. For example, goods may arrive by ocean vessel and then be air shipped for the final inland transportation. Pipeline is also used for some liquid bulk items.