COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          11b 
BRIEFING ITEM                            Date of Meeting        July 13, 2021 
DATE:     July 1, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    David McFadden, Managing Director, Economic Development Division 
SUBJECT:  Maritime Blue Annual Report 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Two years ago, the Port of Seattle executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with
Washington Maritime Blue (MB), the new nonprofit organization charged with implementing
Washington State's Strategy for the Blue Economy. The Memorandum of Understanding laid out
general areas of cooperation and subsequent service contracts have formalized the Port's
partnership with MB on maritime innovation and workforce initiatives.
The MOU and Port service agreements with MB has yielded an effective partnership that is
advancing development of Washington's Blue Economy.  Over the past year we have jointly
launched another successful maritime innovation accelerator, expanded the Youth Maritime
Collaborative  workforce  development  initiative,  and  initiated  other  efforts  to  advance
sustainability within the maritime industry. 
The partnership to build a Blue Economy is working. Over the next year our priorities include: 
Advancing a third round of the maritime innovation accelerator program 
Expanding Youth Maritime Collaborative internship opportunities 
Starting Quiet Sound initiative to reduce the impacts to Southern Resident Killer Whales
from large commercial vessels 
Collaborate on greenhouse gas reduction initiatives that positively impact Port operations 
Diversify funding sources and developing MB Board capacity and expertise 
This work will be supported in part by a two-year $300,000 contract Port Commissioners
authorized last year. Separately, we will also be requesting authorization for continued funding 
of the Youth Maritime Collaborative as that contract (also currently held by Maritime Blue) ends
this fall.
MARITIME BLUE PROGRESS AND RESULTS 
In 2019, the Port of Seattle helped Washington State develop a compelling long-term strategy
for a Blue Economy. It outlined goals to modernize the maritime industry by accelerating its path
towards sustainability.   By  advancing innovation, growing maritime gateways, reducing

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COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 11b                                 Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: July 13, 2021 
greenhouse gas emissions, and investing in workforce development, Washington's maritime
industries and communities could prosper.
Maritime Blue, a new cluster-based organization was born to implement the Blue Economy
Strategy.   The organization reflects a partnership between private industry, government,
education, and community-based organizations. Maritime Blue has grown significantly over the
last two years. It now has 80+ members from nation al research labs to startups to global
technology providers, and community-based workforce partners. 
The Port of Seattle has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of Maritime Blue.
The Port and Maritime Blue signed a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2019 that formalized
our support for the organization and its work to advance the Blue Economy.  Subsequent service
agreements with Maritime Blue have supported the Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator and
the Maritime Youth Collaborative workforce development initiative (with a contract pending to
support the new Quiet Sound initiative designed to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales).
Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator 
MB just finished running its second maritime innovation accelerator.  The program was
completely  virtual,  but the cohort nonetheless thrived and connected with one another
effectively. Over 100 startups applied to the program and 11 companies were ultimately chosen
for four-month immersive training program.  Seven of these startups were from Washington
state. Three companies featured women founders and two ventures were led by people of color.
Initial results from the accelerator are promising: 
Silverback Marine landed large contract with Port of Lopez w/ 1st wave company, Pure
Watercraft; 
Allosense secured non-dilutive funding from DoD; 
MM-Seas launched their platform during the program; and 
Puget Buoy won Alaska Airlines Innovation Challenge. 
Maritime Blue's cadre of mentors expanded for the second accelerator and helped guide
participating companies. The second accelerator featured weekly CEO roundtables with industry
experts and hundreds of hours of individual meetings with each company.
With the success of the first two maritime accelerator cohorts, Maritime Blue plans to run a third
accelerator early next year. This accelerator will complement the Port of Tacoma's incubator and
Bellingham's WA Clean Tech/Blue Tech program. Over time Maritime Blue hopes the accelerator
program will serve as a hub for broader innovation programs like Tacoma and Bellingham's
efforts. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 11b                                 Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: July 13, 2021 
Youth Maritime Collaborative 
Efforts to orient young women, low-income youth, and youth of color have progressed because
of Maritime Blue's work on the Youth Maritime Collaborative, YMC. 
Over the past year, MB implemented its Youth Maritime Accelerator Project (YMAP).  Eleven
interns from diverse backgrounds participated in eight-week paid internships and received a
stipend at the end or their experiences. Youth we able to work with six maritime employers and
participate in several experiential learning events as part of the YMAP. 
MB supported12 interns from Seattle Public School's Launch 206 project. Participating youth
completed a four-week internship, received high school credit, and a $1000 stipend. 
As the YMC's initiatives like the YMAP gain momentum there are expanding opportunities for
youth to experience on-the-water programming and maritime/ocean learning activities. Funding
partners like the City of Seattle and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle and King
County have joined the Port to support broader maritime workforce programming for young
women and people of color. More recently, Maritime Blue received a $350,000 grant from the
Builders Initiative, to further advance its career connected learning initiatives.
Joint Industry Projects/Quiet Sound 
MB supports several Joint Innovation Projects (JIP) in partnership with government agencies and
private maritime companies. As an example, MB is working closely with Washington State, Vigor
industries and other partners on electric ferry development. More recently MB launched a joint
industry project to develop a whale report alert system.  This "Quiet Sound" initiative is just
getting off the ground and will tackle noise and vessel disturbance issues that impact the survival
of the Southern Resident Killer Whale population. 
Public Forums 
In addition to advancing maritime innovation, workforce development and key partnerships, MB
typically organizes events, workshops, and public forums on key topics impacting Washington's
maritime industry. The pandemic has put a damper on many of these vents but as Washington
reopens there are good opportunities to gather again and host critical discussions using MB
member expertise and outside thought leaders. Some potential topics could include: 
Equity in a 21st Century Maritime Workforce 
Offshore Wind Development Opportunities 
Smart Ports: Shipping Terminal Digitization 
Organization Growth and Development 
Maritime Blue has made tremendous strides over the last two years since our Memorandum of
Understanding was executed to help jumpstart this new cluster association. The organization

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 11b                                 Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: July 13, 2021 
has secured significant new grants and private funding to supports its key projects and overall
mission. Maritime Blue's annual budget is $1.94 million of which $250,000 comes from the Port
of Seattle.
With more stable funding, the organization has filled several new staff positions and formalized
Joshua Berger's position as MB's President and CEO. New staff include: 
Jennifer States, VP of Projects and Strategy 
Josh Carter, Program Director, Blue Ventures/Innovation Accelerator 
Veasna Hoy, Program Director, Youth Maritime Collaborative 
Karina Marija-Harris, Community and Events Coordinator 
This continued partnership between the Port and Washington Maritime Blue helps galvanize the
Port's commitment to the values of the State's Strategy for the Blue Economy; A growing
maritime and ocean economy, healthy ocean and marine ecosystems, and equitable and resilient
communities. The original MOU, coupled with committed funding allows Maritime Blue to utilize
its growing network of private industry, public sector, research & academic institutions, and
community & workforce organizations deliver our strategic goals to create herein Washington a: 
Thriving Low-Carbon Maritime Industry through Deep Decarbonization 
Global Innovation Hub through Joint Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
Green Gateway through Working Waterfronts that create safe jobs support climate &
environmental action. 
Diverse and Equitable 21st Century Maritime Workforce 
World Class Cluster through a Strategic Alliance for Maritime Innovation and
Sustainability 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
August 4, 2020  The Commission authorized two-year contract with Maritime Blue to
support innovation accelerator and other key Blue initiatives 
July 14, 2020  The Commission was briefed on Maritime Blue's inaugural innovation
accelerator and other Blue initiatives 
July 23, 2019  The Commission authorized one-year contract with Maritime Blue to 
implement priorities established in Memorandum of Understanding 
July 9, 2019  The Commission authorized executive of Memorandum of Understanding with
Washington Maritime Blue to clarify partnership opportunities and responsibilities 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 11b                                 Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: July 13, 2021 
May 14, 2019  The Commission authorized design funding for the Maritime Innovation 
Center (Historic Ship Supply Building) 
January 8, 2019  Commission received a briefing regarding Maritime Blue Plan and the
Maritime Innovation Center. 

















Template revised September 22, 2016.