Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
10a
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
November 19, 2024
DATE: November 1, 2024
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Kyra Lise, Interim Managing Director, Economic Development Division
Annie Tran, Program Manager, Economic Development Division
SUBJECT: Maritime Blue Memorandum of Understanding
Amount of this request:
$0
Total estimated project cost:
$0
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for Executive Director to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with Maritime Blue, a Washington 501 C6 nonprofit organization, surrounding
operation and Port of Seattle’s participation in Maritime Blue’s strategic alliance that propels the
Pacific Northwest as a global innovation hub for the Blue Economy and ocean-based climate
solutions through its programs.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Washington Maritime Blue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and strategic alliance that
propels the Pacific Northwest as a global innovation hub for the Blue Economy and ocean-based
climate solutions.
Maritime Blue tackles global challenges, models local solutions, and fosters thriving, equitable,
and sustainable maritime and ocean industries. With members and partners, Maritime Blue
creates growth opportunities to address the climate crisis, restore healthy ecosystems, and
empower all communities through knowledge sharing, joint innovation, entrepreneurship,
commercialization, business and workforce development.
Maritime Blue defines its core programmatic priorities in the following areas:
Blue Ventures - Startup support for ocean-based climate solutions in multiple programs
Joint Innovation - Strategic initiatives and projects through public/private collaboration
Equity Engagement - Accessible career pathways for underserved communities
Blue Hub - Convening members, stakeholders, and partners to strengthen the knowledge base
and thought leadership through events, workshops, and international delegations
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: November 19, 2024
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Renewing an MOU with Maritime Blue will solidify the continued partnership the Port of Seattle
has with MB in advancing the blue economy and accelerating industries that support the Port’s
industries.
The Maritime Blue Strategy goals and initiatives identified represent areas of alignment with
the Port’s objectives. Supporting partnerships in Maritime Innovation, Maritime
Decarbonization, Maritime Economic Development, Conservation and Sustainability, Maritime
Workforce Development, and Digital Transformation.
JUSTIFICATION
The Port of Seattle has a longstanding and productive relationship with Maritime Blue. Together,
we have successfully launched maritime business accelerator and incubator programs, started
the Quiet Sound initiative, and collectively advanced the Maritime Innovation Center project.
Our partnership with Maritime Blue has been effective and we want to continually build on this
relationship through collective work propels innovation and collaboration for the Blue Economy
in Washington state.
Over the past five years the Port of Seattle has partnered with Maritime Blue (MB) to advance
several maritime innovation initiatives. Past partnerships and contracts with MB established a
successful Martime Blue Ventures accelerator and incubator program, initiation of the Blue Wind
Collaborative to support offshore wind supply chain efforts, addressed capital access issues
facing the maritime industry, and further established its nonprofit organization and Board of
Directors. Maritime Blue also managed the Youth Maritime Collaborative and the Quiet Sound
initiative through separate agreements with the Port of Seattle.
This partnership addresses several of the Port’s Century Agenda objectives:
• Investing in this partnership supports several of the Port’s Century Agenda objectives:
• Strategy #4 - To be the greenest and most energy efficient Port in North America
• Strategy #3 - Increase workforce training, job, and business opportunities for local
communities in maritime trade travel and logistics and;
• Strategy #1 - Position the Puget Sound’s region as premier international logistics hub.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Take no action.
Cost Implications: None
Pros:
(1) Provides the Port more time to discern how other initiatives fare before participating
(2) Would not have to put time into issues that are not of interest to the Port of Seattle
Cons:
(1) May miss Maritime opportunities and partnerships that benefit the Port of Seattle
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: November 19, 2024
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
(2) Port might be seen as missing in action or insignificant stakeholder surrounding
Maritime Ventures, Blue Wind, Sustainable Maritime Fuels Collaborative, Quiet Sound
and Maritime Youth Programs.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Execute the MOU
Cost Implications: None
Pros:
(1) MOU formalizes roles and responsibilities around several key maritime programs and
collaboratives in the region
(2) Partnership helps focus and leverage energies efforts to support the Blue Economy and
the Port’s interests
Cons:
(1) It is hard to discern at this point how the Port of Seattle would benefit from some of the
newer initiatives
(2) Washington Maritime Blue has several similar collaboratives, and it isn’t clear how they
will be sustained overtime.
This is the recommended alternative.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Memorandum of Understanding
(2) Presentation
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
July 11, 2023 – Commission received a briefing regarding Maritime Blue’ annual goals and
impacts which included an overview of the Blue Wind Collaborative
August 9, 2022 – Commission approved Maritime Blue Contract Renewal under a competitive
waiver process for $300,000
July 12, 2022 -- Commission received a briefing on Maritime Blue’s annual results
July 12, 2021 -- Commission received a briefing on Maritime Blue’s annual results
August 11, 2020 – Commission approved Maritime Blue Contract under a competitive waiver
process for $300,000
July 14, 2020 – Commission received a briefing on Maritime Blue’s first-year results
July 23, 2019 – The Commission authorized the Executive Director to sign Memorandum
of Understanding with non-profit Maritime Blue maritime cluster organization
January 8, 2019 – Commission received a briefing regarding Maritime Blue Plan and the
Maritime Innovation Center funding
