An Economic Engine for America

As the leading gateway for waterborne trade with Asia, West Coast ports play a vital role in the national and global economies. Anchored by the Southern California port complex – the country’s largest – imports and exports include cars, clothing apparel, toys, heavy machinery, consumer electronics, scrap metal, lumber, furniture, fresh produce, wheat, crude oil, steel, solar panels, and more.

The Role of Terminal Automation in Driving Volumes and Supporting Jobs

Learn About the $2 trillion Impact of West Coast Ports on the U.S. Economy

An Analysis of Short-Term Capacity Constraints at U.S. Ports

By The Numbers

2023 Highlights

Total Container TEUs through West Coast Ports

0 Billion

Total Wages Paid

ILWU Registered Workers

Average Annual Earnings for a Full-Time Registered ILWU Worker

A Steward for West Coast Ports

PMA’s mission is to provide industry leadership to our member companies through innovative integrated labor relations, human resources and administrative services. Our membership consists of 68 ocean carriers and terminal operators who operate at the 29 West Coast Ports. These ports are a vital engine for economic activity in the United States.

Labor Relations

PMA negotiates labor agreements that cover wages, employee benefits and conditions of employment for workers employed at longshore, marine clerk and walking boss/foreman jobs.

Hiring & Dispatch

Working in coordination with its member companies, the Association submits daily orders for waterfront labor at 29 ports and works in partnership with the ILWU to dispatch workers on day, afternoon and night shifts.

Payroll Admin

PMA processes weekly payrolls for more than 16,400 ILWU workers at 29 West Coast ports. In 2023, wages totaled 2.20 billion.

Safety, Training & Security

Workplace safety is a key consideration for the PMA. The PMA takes a collaborative approach to safety training and security at marine terminals and throughout the supply chain, leading accident rates to fall to all-time lows.

ILWU Benefits Admin

PMA collects assessments on payroll hours and revenue cargo to fund the employee pension and health care plans provided for by the ILWU-PMA labor agreements.

“This first-of-its-kind contract extension through July 1, 2022 is great news for the maritime industry and the nation. It sets the stage for reliable and productive cargo operations for years to come, while continuing to provide ILWU workers with a very generous wage and benefits package. With this agreement in hand, PMA looks forward to working with the ILWU to bolster the West Coast waterfront’s standing as a leader both nationally and globally.”

PMA CEO Jim McKenna

Leadership Team

The PMA Board of Directors represents top carriers, stevedoring companies and terminal operators in the maritime shipping industry. The Board guides the day-to-day work of the PMA staff which is led by President and CEO James C. McKenna and a highly experienced executive team.