The Maritime Economy of Southeast Alaska, 2025
Written by Rain Coast Data in collaboration with Southeast Conference and the U.S. Coast Guard, “The Maritime Economy of Southeast Alaska” was published as an eight-page feature in the Fall 2025 issue of Proceedings, the U.S. Coast Guard Journal of Safety and Security at Sea. The article combines regional economic analysis with industry and Coast Guard perspectives to examine how tourism, seafood, mining, ferries, freight, and maritime safety connect across Southeast Alaska.
Key findings: Southeast Alaska has more than 8,000 maritime jobs generating nearly $600 million in annual wages—22 percent of all regional wages. When businesses supported by cruise tourism are included, the maritime economy accounts for approximately one-third of the region’s jobs and wages. The article also highlights the Coast Guard’s essential role in supporting commerce, transportation, fisheries, tourism, and remote coastal communities.
