Seaports deliver vital goods and services to consumers, ship U.S. exports, create jobs and support local and national economic growth.
Seaports create American jobs. Seaport cargo activity supports the employment of more than 23 million people in the United States - an increase of 9.8 million jobs since 2007. Seaport-related jobs also provide for $1.2 billion in personal income and local consumption. For every $1 billion exports shipped through U.S. seaports, 15,000 jobs are created.
Seaports are vital economic engines. Seaport cargo activity accounts for 26 percent of the U.S. economy. U.S. seaports generated nearly $4.6 trillion in total economic activity and more than $321 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2014.