(SitNews) ANCHORAGE, Alaska — March 22, 2014 — The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, on Thursday joined with the Transportation Institute, along with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska), to highlight new data from a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers that shows Alaska ranks third in the nation in per capita maritime jobs.
The study showed that thousands of Alaskan jobs are directly related to the domestic maritime industry and account for more than $1 billion in economic impact. Alaska’s own navigable waterway network of more than 5400 miles is the largest in the country and allows the state’s maritime industry to move commodities across Alaska’s 586,000 square miles. America’s domestic maritime industry includes vessel operators, marine terminals, shipyards, and workers engaged in the movement of cargo exclusively within the United States.
“Alaska’s maritime industry contributes more than $1 billion to the state’s economy every year and sustains more than $344 million in wages,” Transportation Institute President Jim Henry said. “Alaska’s shipyard industry also plays an important role in the state’s economy by providing more than $108 million in annual economic impact, sustaining more than 1100 associated jobs, and supporting more than $63.9 million in worker income in Alaska.”
"For many Alaskan communities not accessible via road, our waterways are our highways, and the hardworking men and women of the state's maritime industry provide a crucial transportation link that delivers essential fuel and supplies. With more than 5400 miles of navigable waterways, it is no surprise that the state ranks third in the nation in maritime jobs per capita,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). “The U.S. maritime industry, supported by the Jones Act, provides vital services necessary for Alaska's economy and quality of life, and I appreciate the work of the American Maritime Partnership, the Transportation Institute and the many companies operating in the state who are making our maritime workforce strong today and for the future."