Everything You Need for a Successful Maritime Business

From commercial fishing, to vessel construction, to sales and repairs, Whatcom County has been home to a thriving maritime economy for more than a century. Located midway between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, the Port of Bellingham’s land and facilities provide an accessible and affordable location for maritime businesses.

Contact the Port of Bellingham to see how we can help your maritime business thrive.

Gateway to the Global Market

The Port offers convenient access to I-5, along with Puget Sound, British Columbia, and Alaskan waterways—offering you a gateway to the global marketplace, without the congestion found in other ports. Our close proximity to Pacific Rim countries also allows your Asian shipments to reach their destination two days faster than ports to the south—giving your maritime business a clear competitive advantage.

Adaptable Labor and Support

The Port has a strong ongoing relationship with ILWU Local 7, along with local stevedoring and 24/7 lay-berth services. We also offer world-class marine supplies, like rope and cordage, marina dock construction, seafood processing, marine electronics, and more. Tug services, mobile cleaning services, and nearby shipyard and dry-dock services are also available.

Maintenance and repair services are also easy to find: Fairhaven Shipyards, the Landings at Colony Wharf, and Seaview North all provide a range of vessel maintenance services for all vessel sizes.

The Perfect Waterfront Property

The Port of Bellingham provides 130 acres of working waterfont property, with features such as a deep water pier, boatyard, warehouse space, and business space. The Bellingham Shipping Terminal, in particular, boasts 1,250 feet of dock space, more than 85,000 square feet of covered storage, 35 acres of available upland, and specializes in both break bulk and clean bulk cargoes. Other port facilities include the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Blaine Harbor, Squalicum Harbor, and Fairhaven Shipyards. Maritime activity on Port real estate directly contributes over 2,300 jobs and 1,900 spin-off jobs in Whatcom County.

Successful Commercial Fishing Market

Commercial fishing activity in Whatcom County provides 1,781 direct jobs and more than $320 million in business revenue. We’re also home to the West Coast’s largest on-dock cold storage facility—Bellingham Cold Storage—with a capacity of 145 million pounds. Internationally-recognized seafood brands, like Home Port Seafoods, Bornstein Seafoods, and Trans-Ocean Products are all located in Whatcom County and offer a tight-knit group of industry experts eager to welcome new fishing companies into the community.

Direct Vendor to Consumer Fishing Market

Bellingham Dockside Market, located in Squalicum Harbor, serves as the hub for local fisherman to sell their fresh harvest and catch directly to consumers. The market provides an authentic connection to Bellingham’s local waters and an array of fish and seafood options. Visit the dock early to ensure the best selection of seafood options, and head home with dinner–from the dock to your table! Markets typically take place on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of the month from 10am-2pm. Visit the Bellingham Dockside Market Facebook page to review sale days and products.

Ideal Waterview Event Space

The Fishermen’s Pavilion is a 9,000 square foot shelter at Zuanich Point Park. Its natural surroundings and stunning water view make this an ideal location for any event during the summer. The Pavilion is an important element of Bellingham’s working waterfront. From Oct. 1st – May 31st it is utilized by our local commercial fishermen as they prepare for their season. It is available to the public for rentals between June 1st and Sept. 30th.

Easy Access to Amtrak, Greyhound, and Ferries

The Bellingham Cruise Terminal, located in the Historic Fairhaven District, is the southernmost terminal for the Alaska Marine Highway System—the second largest ferry system in the country. It carries more than 27,000 passengers to and from Alaska every year, and is right across the street from the Fairhaven Station, which sees 64,000 Amtrak passengers and 41,000 Greyhound busses annually. The Bellingham Cruise Terminal offers a 400-foot deep draft berth, vehicle and passenger loading ramps, fuel, water, and sewage hookups at the berth, office space, and much more.