1

U.S. Water Transportation Statistical Snapshot

July 2009
For additional copies of this snapshot or information about the 

Office of Policy and Plans and its products and services, contact:

Phone: 202-366-2278

Fax: 202-366-7403

Email: data.marad@dot.gov

Internet: www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics

Mail: Office of Policy and Plans 

Maritime Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE

Washington, D.C. 20590

July 2009
U.S. Water Transportation Statistical Snapshot

Office of 

Policy and Plans

Office of 

Congressional and Public Affairs

Maritime Administration

U.S. Department of 

Transportation
Office of Policy and Plans

Janice Weaver

Director

Office of Congressional and Public Affairs

Susan Clark 

Public Affairs Officer

Produced under the direction of:

Russell Byington

Chief Economist

Contributors

Edwrena Brown

Thomas Bruneel

Eric Gabler

Ryan Olsen

Gail Perkins

Ray H. LaHood

Secretary

David T. Matsuda

Deputy Maritime Administrator

Acknowledgements
U.S. Waterborne Trades 1

U.S. Coastwise Petroleum Trades 2

U.S. Foreign Container Trades 3

U.S. and Global Waterborne Trades 4

U.S. Foreign Trade, All Modes and Waterborne 5

Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports 6

Average Vessel Size per Call 7

Containership Calls at U.S. Ports by Size 8

U.S.-flag Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports 9

Vessel Calls by U.S. Coast 10

LNG Vessel Capacity Calling at U.S. Ports 11

U.S. and Global Vessel Calls 12

North American Cruises, Key Statistics 13

North America Cruise Passengers by Departure

Port 14

Contents

Trade Indicators 1-14

Preface V

At a Glance VIII - IX

Fleet Indicators 15-18

U.S. Privately-Owned Fleets 15

Age Profile of U.S. Privately-Owned Fleets 16

U.S.-Flag Privately-Owned Ocean and Great Lakes

Fleets 17

Age Profile of U.S.-Flag Privately-Owned 

Ocean and Great Lakes Fleets 18

Macroeconomic Indicators 19-23

U.S. Employment, Water Transportation and

Related Industries 19

U.S. Producer Prices, Water Transportation and

Related Industries 20

U.S. Water Transportation Gross Output 21

Energy Inputs as a Percent of U.S. Gross Output by Mode 22

U.S. Water Transportation Fixed Assets 23

III

Glossary 25-27
IV
Trade Indicators V

Preface

It is the mission of the Maritime Administration to improve and strengthen the U.S. water transportation system to meet 

the economic, environmental and security needs of the Nation. 

The U.S. water transportation industry serves the needs 

of both foreign and domestic commerce. It’s comprised of 

companies that carry freight or passengers on the open seas 

or inland waterways, offer towing services, charter vessels, and 

operate canals and terminals.

The U.S. water transportation industry is in a period of renewa

with major changes in trades, fleets, gross output, employment 

and assets. The following snapshot highlights the major changes 

that have occurred over the last 5 years. 

V

VII At a Glance VII

Trade Indicators

In 2008, U.S. waterborne trades (foreign and domestic) 

amounted to 2.3 billion metric tons. Foreign trade accounted 

for 60 percent of the total, up from 57 percent five years 

earlier. (p. 1).

Over the last 5 years, U.S. coastwise trade declined by 10 

percent due largely to a 15 percent decline in coastwise 

petroleum trades. (p. 2). 

Over the last 5 years, U.S. foreign container trade increased by 

35 percent, compared to 10 percent for non-container trade. 

In 2008, the top 5 ports accounted for 67 percent of U.S. 

container trade (p. 3).

In 2008, U.S. foreign waterborne trade accounted for about 

17 percent of global waterborne trade. Over the last 5 years, 

global trade increased by 25 percent. The surge in global trade 

was driven largely by growth in global container trades and 

China’s demand for primary products (p. 4).

In 2008, 48 percent of U.S. foreign trade (all modes) was moved 

by vessel in value terms, up from 41 percent 5 years earlier (p. 5).

In 2008, 7,119 oceangoing vessels made 60,578 calls at U.S. ports 

(p. 6). U.S.-flag vessels accounted for 7,148 calls. Jones Act vessels 

accounted for 76 percent of U.S.-flag calls (p. 9).

Over the last 5 years, the average size (TEUs) of containerships 

calling at U.S. ports increased by 19 percent as carriers 

expanded the deployment of post-panamax (5,000+ TEU) 

containerships in U.S. trades (pp. 7-8).

Over the last 5 years, the South Atlantic had the highest growth 

(21 percent) in vessel calls among U.S. coastal regions (p. 10).

In 2008, U.S. ports accounted for about 8 percent of global vessel 

calls. The U.S. ranked second in terms of overall calls (p. 12).

In 2008, 64 million passenger nights were booked on North 

American cruises. Nearly 10 million passengers were carried on 

4,212 cruises by the seventeen largest cruise lines (p 13).

At a Glance
VIII U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Fleet Indicators

As of year-end 2008, nearly 40,000 U.S. privately-owned vessels 

were available for operation in U.S. foreign and domestic trades 

(pp. 15-16). About 35 percent (238 vessels) of the U.S.-owned 

ocean and Great Lakes vessels were registered under the U.S.-

flag, and 21 percent (145 vessels) had unrestricted coastwise 

trading privileges (Jones Act) (pp. 17-18).

U.S.-Owned Fleet by Segment, 2008

Fleet Ocean and Great Lakes Coastal & 

Waterways Offshore

Ocean Lakes Total

U.S. Owned 628 47 675 38,502 689

U.S.-Flag 191 47 238 38,502 551

Jones Act 98 47 145 38,502 551

Other 93 0 93 0 0

Foreign-Flag 437 0 437 0 138

Notes: Year-end fleets. Ocean/Lakes—Vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. Jones Act 

Fleet—Vessels built in the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; or vessels reconstructed in 

the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; or foreign-built vessels forfeited for violation of 

U.S. law and registered under U.S.-flag. Jones Act vessels have unrestricted coastwise 

trading privileges. 

Sources: Ocean and Offshore—Clarkson Research, Clarkson Register, www.clarksons.

net. Coastal and Waterways—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vessel Detail Files,

www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc.

At a Glance
At a Glance

Macroeconomic Indicators

Over the last 5 years, 25,800 jobs were added in water 

transportation and related industries (p. 19).

The average price for water transportation services increased by 

27 percent over the last 5 years. The largest increases were in 

the domestic segments; coastwise (38 percent), Great Lakes (45 

percent) and inland (74 percent) (p. 20).

For the period 2002-2007, value-added (gross output less the 

cost of intermediate inputs) for water transportation increased 

by 53 percent despite a 145 percent increase in the cost of 

energy inputs (p. 21).

In 2007, water transportation ranked second among modes in 

energy efficiency (energy costs per dollar of gross output). Rail 

ranked first in energy efficiency (p. 22).

For the period 2002-2007, the value of water transportation 

fixed assets increased by 35 percent, the highest 5-year growth 

in 25 years (p. 23).

At a Glance IX

0

600

1200

1800

2400

3000

Trade Indicators 1

Trade Indicators

In 2008, U.S. waterborne trades (foreign and domestic) amounted to 2.3 billion metric tons. Foreign trade accounted 

for 60 percent of the total, up from 57 percent 5 years earlier. 

The change in composition was due largely to a 15 percent 

decline in coastwise petroleum trades (next page). 

U.S. Waterborne Trades, 2003-2008

(Million Metric Tons)

Trade 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Foreign 1,209.6 1,305.6 1,351.6 1,380.6 1,375.9 1,376.5 13.8

Imports 879.9 954.6 995.7 1,000.5 949.9 892.1 1.4

Exports 329.7 351.1 355.4 380.2 426.0 484.4 46.9

Domestic 921.9 949.9 933.4 928.6 926.7 921.0 -0.1

Coastwise 202.8 200.1 193.8 183.2 186.7 182.0 -10.3

Inland 553.0 568.1 566.1 569.3 564.2 567.0 2.5

Great Lakes 81.5 93.9 87.3 87.9 86.7 85.0 4.3

Other 84.6 87.8 86.2 88.2 89.1 87.0 2.8

Total 2,131.5 2,255.5 2,284.4 2,309.2 2,302.6 2,297.5 7.8

Trade Indicators

U.S. Waterborne Trades, 2003-2008

(Million Metric Tons)

600

1200

1800

2400

Notes: Domestic figures are estimated for 2008 based on values of related series. Other 

includes intra-port and intra-territory trades.

Sources: Domestic Trade—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce of the 

United States, www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc; Foreign Trade—Bureau of Census, Foreign Trade 

Division, www.census.gov/foreign-trade.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Imports

Inland

Exports

Great Lakes

Coastwise

Other Domestic
2 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Trade Indicators

In 2008, petroleum accounted for 69 percent of U.S. coastwise trade, down from 72 percent five years earlier. The decline in 

coastwise petroleum trades was due largely to a 30 percent decline 

in Alaskan crude oil production which moved on tankers from the 

Trans-Alaskan Pipeline terminal in Valdez to the U.S. West Coast. 

U.S. Coastwise Petroleum Trades, 2003-2008

(Million Metric Tons)

Trade 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Coastwise 146.4 146.6 142.3 132.4 133.7 125.1 -14.5

Crude Oil 46.2 43.5 40.7 33.4 34.6 30.1 -34.8

Product 100.2 103.1 101.6 99.0 99.1 95.0 -5.2

Alaska Crude 

Oil Production 

(Mil. Bbls.)

355.6 332.5 315.4 270.5 263.6 249.9 -29.7

Sources: Trade—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce of the United 

States, www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc; Alaska Production—Energy Information Agency, 

Petroleum Supply Annual, www.eia.doe.gov.

0

50

100

150

200

U.S. Coastwise Petroleum Trade, 1998-2008

(Million Metric Tons)

Crude Oil Trades Products

1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

100

0

150

50
Trade Indicators 3

Trade Indicators

0

50

100

150

200

250

U.S. foreign container trade increased by 35 percent over the last 5 years. In 2008, the top 5 ports accounted for 

67 percent of U.S. container trade, up from 63 percent in 2003.

Year

U.S. Foreign Container Trades by U.S. Port, 2003-2008

(Million Metric Tons)

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Foreign Trade Division, www.census.gov/foreign-trade.

U.S. Foreign Container Trades by U.S. Port, 2003-2008

(Million Metric Tons)

Port 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

LA/LB 47.8 53.6 57.1 66.5 69.7 69.8 46.0

New York 22.1 23.6 26.8 27.8 29.9 31.9 44.3

Savannah 10.5 11.6 13.6 14.5 17.1 18.7 78.1

Houston 15.9 14.6 15.3 16.3 17.6 18.4 15.7

Seattle/Tacoma 12.6 14.5 18.3 17.6 18.9 17.9 42.1

Norfolk 10.2 10.1 10.9 11.9 12.3 12.9 26.5

San Francisco 8.4 9.6 10.9 11.4 11.7 11.8 40.5

Charleston 9.9 10.8 12.1 11.2 11.3 10.9 10.1

Miami 7.7 8.5 9.7 9.3 8.8 8.3 7.8

New Orleans 4.1 5.0 4.6 5.5 6.0 5.7 39.0

Top 5 109.0 117.8 131.0 142.7 153.2 156.7 43.8

Top 10 149.2 161.8 179.1 192.2 203.3 206.2 38.2

Total 174.0 187.6 205.8 220.6 231.6 235.1 35.1

250

100

0

200

150

50

LA/LB

Houston

New York

Seattle/Tacoma

Savannah Other
4 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Trade Indicators

Sources: Global Trade–Clarkson Research www.clarksons.net; U.S. Trade– U.S. Bureau of 

Census, Foreign Trade Division, www.census.gov/foreign-trade.

U.S. and Global Waterborne Trades, 2008

(Percent of Global Trade, Metric Tons)

In 2008, U.S. foreign trade accounted for about 17 percent of global waterborne trade. U.S. petroleum trades accounted 

for about seven percent of global trade (all commodities). 

Over the last five years, global trade increased by 25 percent. 

The surge in global trade was driven largely by growth in global 

container trades and China’s demand for primary products—

petroleum, iron ore, coal and grains.

Other

Coal

Grain

Container

Oil

6,848

Rest-ofWorld

83%

U.S.

17%

Container

3%

Grain

1% Coal

1%

Other

4%

Petroleum

7%

U.S. and Global Waterborne Trades, 2003-2008

(Million Metric Tons)

Trade 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Global 6,570.8 6,988.4 7,297.5 7,668.1 7,968.4 8,225.8 25.2

Coal 440.7 480.8 503.7 538.5 565.0 575.2 30.5

Iron Ore 515.5 586.5 657.7 722.3 782.3 842.7 63.5

Petroleum 2,377.3 2,509.3 2,601.8 2,695.5 2,770.4 2,804.8 18.0

LNG 125.2 131.3 141.7 159.5 171.4 204.5 63.3

Grain 264.2 275.3 272.1 291.5 303.8 314.1 18.9

Cont. 805.3 917.8 1,020.0 1,134.5 1,255.3 1,313.3 63.1

Other 2,042.6 2,087.4 2,100.5 2,126.3 2,120.2 2,171.2 6.3

U.S. 1,209.6 1,305.6 1,351.0 1,380.6 1,375.9 1,376.5 13.8

Coal 58.9 65.9 70.3 75.5 84.6 102.8 74.5

Iron Ore 17.9 18.6 21.6 17.9 17.1 18.7 4.5

Petroleum 583.7 622.5 638.8 624.1 617.6 606.0 3.8

LNG 18.0 17.9 16.1 15.7 18.6 10.1 -43.9

Grain 103.2 108.4 102.3 111.4 122.1 118.9 15.2

Cont. 174.0 187.6 205.8 220.6 231.6 235.1 35.1

Other 253.9 284.7 296.1 315.4 284.3 284.9 12.2
Trade Indicators 5

In 2008, 48 percent of U.S. foreign trade (all modes) was moved by vessel in value terms, up from 41 percent 5 years 

earlier. The increase in waterborne share was due largely to a 

surge in primary commodity trades. 

Water transportation accounted for only 10 percent of U.S. 

contiguous trades (Mexico and Canada), but 63 percent of the 

non-contiguous (overseas) trades.

5

Trade Indicators

Note: Primary commodities are coal, iron ore, petroleum and grains. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Foreign Trade Division, www.census.gov/foreign-trade.

U.S. Foreign Trade, All Modes and Waterborne, 2003-2008

Trade (Billion Dollars) 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Total 1,982 2,285 2,575 2,880 3,105 3,391

Waterborne 811 959 1,122 1,279 1,399 1,624

%Waterborne 40.9 42.0 43.6 44.4 45.1 47.9

Contiguous 627 713 793 865 913 968

Waterborne 38 46 59 70 74 93

%Waterborne 6.1 6.5 7.4 8.1 8.1 9.6

Non-Contiguous 1,355 1,572 1,782 2,015 2,192 2,423

Waterborne 773 913 1,064 1,209 1,325 1,531

%Waterborne 57.0 58.1 59.7 60.0 60.4 63.2

Primary Commodities 161 212 286 346 392 559

Waterborne 142 188 256 307 345 483

%Waterborne 88.3 88.5 89.6 88.7 88.0 86.3

Non Contiguous

Contiguous

Contiguous

968

Non-Contiguous

2,423

Waterbourne

1,531

Other 

Modes

892

U.S. Foreign Trade, Waterborne Share of 

Non-Contiguous Trade 2008

(Billion Dollars)
6 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Trade Indicators

In 2008, 7,119 oceangoing vessels made 60,578 calls at U.S. ports. Vessel calls were up seven percent from 5 years ago, 

but down five percent from a year earlier. The decline was 

spread over all major vessel types as the U.S. economy slipped 

into a recession. Of the 2008 calls, 35 percent were by tankers, 

31 percent were by containerships, 17 percent were by dry 

bulk camers, 10 percent were by RO-ROs, and 6 percent were 

by general cargo ships. Ninety-one percent of the tanker calls 

were by double-hull (DH) vessels, up from 64 percent five 

years earlier. 

Notes: The calls were by oceangoing vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. DH—double-hull. 

See glossary for vessel type descriptions. 

Source: Maritime Administration, Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports, 

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports, 2003-2008

Type 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Tanker 18,503 19,316 20,118 21,231 21,724 20,907 13.0

 DH 11,905 14,055 15,869 17,747 19,026 19,036 59.9

 Product 10,998 11,572 12,217 13,282 13,277 12,662 15.1

 DH 6,578 7,712 8,799 10,252 10,811 10,952 66.5

 Crude 7,505 7,744 7,901 7,949 8,447 8,245 9.9

 DH 5,327 6,343 7,070 7,495 8,215 8,084 51.8

Container 805.3 18,279 18,542 19,591 19,863 18,735 8.4

Dry Bulk 10,271 11,631 11,406 12,508 11,040 10,363 0.9

RO-RO 5,191 5,317 5,663 6,318 6,077 5,964 14.9

 Vehicle 3,113 3,065 3,652 4,182 4,084 4,102 31.8

Gas 926 916 969 961 917 769 -17.0

 LNG 164 173 203 213 202 171 4.3

Combo 666 459 414 334 235 180 -73.0

General 3,915 3,967 3,935 4,054 3,948 3,660 -6.5

All Types 56,759 59,885 61,047 64,997 63,804 60,578 6.7
Trade Indicators 7

Trade Indicators

In 2008, the average size of vessels calling at U.S. ports was 52,535 DWT, up six percent from 5 years before. The 

average size of dry bulk carriers increased by 11 percent 

reflecting a 5-year, 74 percent increase in U.S. coal exports 

which are moved on 50,000+ DWT dry bulk carriers. The 

average size of containerships increased by 19 percent in terms 

of TEU capacity (14 percent in terms of DWT) as carriers 

expanded the deployment of post-panamax (5,000+ TEU) 

containerships.

Trade Indicators

Notes: The calls were by oceangoing vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. DH—doublehull. See glossary for vessel type descriptions. Average vessel size is the sum of vessel 

calls weighted by vessel deadweight (DWT) divided by calls. For containerships and gas 

carriers, capacities are also expressed in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), and cubic 

meters (CM), respectively.

Source: Maritime Administration, Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports,

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

Average Vessel Size Per Call, 2003-2008

(DWT unless otherwise specified)

Type 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Tanker 72,387 70,690 72,056 71,831 72,222 72,281 -0.1

 DH 76,452 74,717 76,240 75,891 76,408 75,034 -1.9

 Product 37,790 37,684 37,956 37,669 36,699 36,661 -3.0

 DH 37,104 37,163 37,799 37,934 36,994 36,936 -0.5

 Crude 123,085 120,010 124,784 128,913 128,058 126,984 3.2

 DH 125,040 120,376 124,083 127,811 128,278 126,648 1.3

Container 43,168 43,610 44,593 46,598 47,720 49,213 14.0

 (TEU) 3,145 3,235 3,314 3,502 3,597 3,744 19.0

Dry Bulk 42,685 42,972 43,276 44,746 45,270 47,306 10.8

RO-RO 20,270 20,191 19,838 19,751 19,635 20,153 -0.6

 Vehicle 17,496 16,708 18,506 18,801 18,585 18,896 8.0

Gas 37,818 39,145 41,411 40,738 40,462 40,755 7.8

 (CM) 55,024 57,465 61,410 60,037 59,369 60,159 9.3

 LNG 68,564 70,458 70,374 70,962 73,703 70,097 2.2

 (CM) 125,768 129,429 128,504 130,006 134,832 128,834 2.4

Combo 84,016 84,699 87,151 86,344 93,617 97,607 16.2

General 23,655 24,542 25,101 25,446 25,572 24,585 3.9

All Types 49,557 49,125 50,083 50,672 51,658 52,535 6.0
8

Trade Indicators

Notes: The calls were by oceangoing vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. Post-panamax 

refers to vessels that are too large to transit the Panama Canal locks. Panamax refers to 

the maximum dimensions of a vessel that can transit Panama Canal locks: length—965 feet, 

beam—106 feet, and draft—39.5 feet. 

Source: Maritime Administration, Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports, 

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

8 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Over the last 5 years, calls by containerships of 5,000 TEU or greater, which are largely post-panamax class, 

increased by 278 percent. The number of 5,000+ TEU 

containerships deployed in U.S. trades increased by 205 percent 

and calls per vessel increased by 23 percent.

Containership Calls at U.S. Ports by Size, 2003-2008

Vessel Size, 

TEUs 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Calls

< 1,000 626 443 394 332 372 464 -25.9

1,000-1,999 3,492 3,463 3,600 3,814 3,532 3,029 -13.3

2,000-2,999 4,032 4,541 4,410 3,986 4,099 3,347 -17.0

3,000-3,999 4,050 3,888 3,624 3,333 2,866 2,460 -39.3

4,000-4,999 3,945 4,210 4,226 4,782 5,033 5,121 29.8

> 4,999 1,142 1,734 2,288 3,344 3,961 4,314 277.8

Total 17,287 18,279 18,542 19,591 19,863 18,735 8.4

Vessels

< 1,000 28 30 24 23 28 33 17.9

1,000-1,999 234 185 183 189 168 163 -30.3

2,000-2,999 258 266 259 257 230 219 -15.1

3,000-3,999 201 191 189 177 166 141 -29.9

4,000-4,999 197 207 234 258 271 284 44.2

> 4,999 107 160 193 260 277 326 204.7

Total 1,025 1,039 1,082 1,164 1,140 1,166 13.8

Calls/Vessels

< 1,000 22.4 14.8 16.4 14.4 13.3 14.1 -37.1

1,000-1,999 14.9 18.7 19.7 20.2 21.0 18.6 24.8

2,000-2,999 15.6 17.1 17.0 15.5 17.8 15.3 -1.9

3,000-3,999 20.1 20.4 19.2 18.8 17.3 17.4 -13.4

4,000-4,999 20.0 20.3 18.1 18.5 18.6 18.0 -10.0

> 4,999 10.7 10.8 11.9 12.9 14.3 13.2 23.4

Total 16.9 17.6 17.1 16.8 17.4 16.1 -4.7
Trade Indicators 9

Trade Indicators

In 2008, U.S.-flag oceangoing vessels accounted for 12 percent of the calls at U.S. ports, down from 14 percent 5 years 

earlier. Jones Act vessels accounted for 76 percent of 

U.S. -flag calls.

Notes: The calls were by oceangoing vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. 

DH—double-hull. Jones Act Fleet—Vessels built in the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; 

or vessels reconstructed in the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; or foreign-built vessels 

forfeited for violation of U.S. law and registered under U.S.-flag. Jones Act vessels have 

unrestricted coastwise trading privileges. MSP—Vessels under the Martime Security 

Program.

Source: Maritime Administration, Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports, 

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

U.S.-Flag Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports, 2003-2008

Type 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Tanker 3,759 3,591 3,676 3,421 3,581 3,378 -10.1

 DH 1,637 1,882 2,012 2,190 2,669 2,686 64.1

Container 2,898 2,992 2,605 2,465 2,557 2,477 -14.5

Dry Bulk 112 128 131 77 99 97 -13.4

RO-RO 953 1,079 1,238 1,364 1,243 1,152 20.9

 Vehicle 190 227 451 565 484 496 161.1

General 97 102 95 53 37 44 -54.6

All Types 7,819 7,892 7,745 7,380 7,517 7,148 -8.6

U.S.-Flag Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports by Segment, 2008

Type Jones Act MSP Other Total

Tanker 3,351 27 0 3,378

 DH 2,659 27 0 2,686

Container 1,275 1,020 182 2,477

Dry Bulk 55 0 42 97

RO-RO 735 385 32 1,152

 Vehicle 109 385 2 496

General 17 0 27 44

All Types 5,433 1,432 283 7,148
10 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Trade Indicators

Over the last 5 years, the South Atlantic had the highest growth (21 percent) in vessel calls among U.S. 

coastal regions. 

In 2008, 22 percent of the dry bulk carrier calls were at Pacific 

Northwest ports, up from 14 percent in 2003.

Notes: The calls were by oceangoing vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. 

See glossary for coast and vessel descriptions.

Source: Maritime Administration, Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports, 

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

Vessel Calls by U.S. Coast, 2003-2008

Type N. Atl. S. Atl. PNW PSW PR U.S. 

Gulf Total 

2003

Tanker 3,679 1,303 1,900 1,978 273 9,370 18,503

Container 3,036 5,341 1,875 5,268 504 1,263 17,287

Dry Bulk 1,351 1,054 1,479 1,424 126 4,837 10,271

RO-RO 1,577 1,434 679 860 243 398 5,191

Gas 122 45 48 52 35 624 926

Combo 216 48 2 15 10 375 666

General 852 703 251 636 306 1,167 3,915

All Types 10,833 9,928 6,234 10,233 1,497 18,034 56,759

2008

Tanker 3,978 1,706 1,577 2,242 234 11,170 20,907

Container 3,450 6,648 1,775 5,096 395 1,371 18,735

Dry Bulk 1,291 1,158 2,274 1,020 57 4,563 10,363

RO-RO 1,726 1,812 646 1,240 166 374 5,964

Gas 129 78 38 38 25 461 769

Combo 17 36 4 7 0 116 180

General 723 610 384 425 155 1,363 3,660

All Types 11,314 12,048 6,698 10,068 1,032 19,418 60,578

%Ch. 2003-08

Tanker 8.1 30.9 -17.0 13.3 -14.3 19.2 13.0

Container 13.6 24.5 -5.3 -3.3 -21.6 8.6 8.4

Dry Bulk -4.4 9.9 53.8 -28.4 -54.8 -5.7 0.9

RO-RO 9.4 26.4 -4.9 44.2 -31.7 -6.0 14.9

Gas 5.7 73.3 -20.8 -26.9 -28.6 -26.1 -17.0

Combo -92.1 -25.0 100.0 -53.3 -100.0 -69.1 -73.0

General -15.1 -13.2 53.0 -33.2 -49.3 16.8 -6.5

All Types 4.4 21.4 7.4 -1.6 -31.1 7.7 6.7
Trade Indicators 11

Trade Indicators

In 2008, 5 ports accounted for 90 percent of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier capacity calling at U.S. ports. LNG capacity 

calling at U.S. ports was up 7 percent from 5 years earlier, but down 

19 percent from a year earlier. 

0

10000

20000

30000

Cove Point

LNG Vessel Capacity Calling at U.S. Ports, 2003-2008

(Thousand Cubic Meters )

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

LNG Vessel Capacity Calling at U.S. Ports, 2003-2008

(Thousand Cubic Meters)

Port 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Boston 7,595 4,086 4,194 6,798 7,107 8,122 6.9

Savannah 353 900 3,392 4,700 803 6,096 1,626.9

Guayanilla 948 1,048 1,167 1,208 403 2,243 136.6

Nikiski 0 0 2,337 2,517 1,247 2,048 na

Cove Point 2,722 9,247 10,018 4,451 6,431 1,273 -53.2

Other 9,008 7,110 4,979 8,018 11,245 2,248 -75.0

Total 20,626 22,391 26,087 27,692 27,236 22,030 6.8

Notes: The calls were by oceangoing vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. Capacity calling is 

the sum of calls weighted by vessel cubic meter capacity.

Source: Maritime Administration, Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports,

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

Boston

Guayanilla

Savannah

Nikiski

Other
12 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Trade Indicators

U.S. and Global Vessel Calls, 2008

Tanker

Other

General 

Ro-Ro

Dry Bulk

Container

Rest-ofWorld

92%

U.S.

8%

Container

3%

Dry Bulk

1%

Ro-Ro

1%

General

0.5%

Tanker

3% Other

0.1%

Notes: The calls were by oceangoing vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. See glossary for 

vessel descriptions. 

Source: Maritime Administration, Vessel Calls at U.S. Ports, 

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

Global Vessel Calls by Country and Vessel Type, 2008

Country Tanker Cont. Dry

Bulk

RORO Gas Combo Gen Total

China 4,883 47,646 14,413 910 172 80 4,582 72,686

U.S. 20,907 18,735 10,363 5,964 769 180 3,660 60,578

Japan 4,067 22,079 10,622 6,733 1,986 20 4,902 50,409

Singapore 8,764 17,165 9,172 1,821 1,011 117 2,513 40,563

Brazil 6,536 9,630 8,254 1,282 121 122 2,258 28,203

Korea 3,375 12,850 4,739 2,670 712 21 2,239 26,606

Italy 6,869 7,475 2,649 3,216 228 40 1,203 21,680

Australia 2,628 4,619 10,479 1,850 343 25 1,418 21,362

India 6,137 4,271 6,461 252 601 33 1,674 19,429

England 6,740 4,596 2,299 4,251 263 40 1,075 19,264

Top 10 70,906 149,066 79,451 28,949 6,206 678 25,524 360,780

Other 98,301 144,063 65,423 32,186 9,685 924 31,880 382,462

Total 169,207 293,129 144,874 61,135 15,891 1,602 57,404 743,242

In 2008, U.S. ports accounted for about eight percent of global vessel calls. The U.S. ranked second in terms of overall calls. 

Tanker calls at U.S. ports accounted for 12 percent of global 

tanker calls.
Trade Indicators 13

Trade Indicators

In 2008, 64 million passenger nights were booked on North American cruises; down 5 percent from a year earlier. About 

9.9 million passengers were carried on 4,212 cruises by the 

seventeen largest cruise lines.

The North America cruise market has been capacity driven; 

that is, cruise lines have discounted fares to fill ships. But, unlike 

land based resorts, cruise ships can be moved to markets that 

have higher yields. In 2008, the number of cruise ships offering 

North American cruises increased, but the number of cruises 

(per ship) declined as the ships spent more time overseas 

where yields were higher.

North American Cruises, Key Statistics, 2003-2008

(Capacity and Traffic in Thousands)

Vessels Capacity Traffic Occupancy %

Year No. Cruises Pass. Pass. 

Nights Pass. Pass. 

Nights Pass. Pass. 

Nights

2003 101 4,094 7,775 50,841 8,349 53,534 107 105

2004 112 4,465 8,656 57,623 9,418 61,628 109 107

2005 114 4,463 8,884 59,033 9,747 63,731 110 108

2006 110 4,435 9,087 60,212 9,971 65,034 110 108

2007 116 4,464 9,352 62,146 10,289 67,203 110 108

2008 118 4,212 8,978 58,993 9,915 64,014 110 109

Note: A double stateroom with two passengers is considered 100 percent occupied. Since 

many double staterooms can accommodate three or four people, occupancy can be more 

than 100 percent.

Source: Maritime Administration, North American Cruise Statistics,

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

North American Cruises, Traffic & Capacity, 2003-2008

(Million Passenger Nights)

0

20

40

60

80 Traffic

Capacity

60

20

80

40

0
14 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Source: Maritime Administration, North American Cruise Statistics, 

www.marad.dot.gov/data_statistics.

The top 10 departure ports for cruise passengers accounted for 78 percent of the North American 

departures during 2008, down from 86 percent five years 

earlier. Over the last 5 years, Seattle, San Diego, Long Beach, 

Cape Liberty (NJ), Mobile and Whittier have emerged as 

significant cruise ports. 

Trade Indicators

North America Cruise Passengers by 

Departure Port, 2003-2008

(Thousands)

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Miami 1,867 1,683 1,771 1,890 1,890 2,099 12.4

Port Canaveral 1,114 1,230 1,234 1,396 1,298 1,226 10.1

Fort Lauderdale 1,100 1,237 1,199 1,145 1,289 1,187 7.9

Los Angeles 516 434 615 583 626 607 17.6

San Juan 579 677 581 555 534 521 -10.0

New York 432 461 370 519 525 477 10.4

Seattle 165 291 337 382 386 435 163.6

San Diego 93 173 234 180 341 416 347.3

Vancouver, BC 466 436 434 402 462 406 -12.9

Galveston 377 433 531 616 529 403 6.9

Tampa 419 399 408 461 368 393 -6.2

Long Beach 171 401 363 380 367 365 113.5

New Orleans 297 396 308 75 258 185 -37.7

Honolulu 173 170 236 316 382 166 -4.0

Cape Liberty 0 87 147 140 115 163 na

Mobile 0 29 88 99 130 146 na

Whittier 0 88 96 109 113 104 na

Jacksonville 6 114 137 128 130 87 1,350.0

Seward 152 75 68 69 76 80 -47.4

San Francisco 52 87 89 91 74 72 38.5

Boston 69 73 80 62 52 69 0.0

Charleston 32 39 41 47 44 53 65.6

Baltimore 57 105 67 60 62 46 -19.3

Norfolk 15 48 45 25 31 41 173.3

Philadelphia 25 30 50 52 30 14 -44.0

Houston 13 91 99 60 27 10 -23.1

Other Ports 161 132 120 129 149 143 -11.2

Total 8,349 9,418 9,747 9,971 10,289 9,915 18.8
15 15

Fleet Indicators

Fleet Indicators

Notes: Year-end fleets. The U.S. privately-owned fleet consists of vessels operated under 

U.S. and foreign flags. All coastal and waterways vessels are U.S.-flag with unrestricted 

coastwise trading privileges. DH—double-hull. Ocean/Lakes—Vessels of 10,000 DWT 

or greater. 

Sources: Ocean and Offshore—Clarkson Research, Vessel Register, www.clarksons.net 

Coastal and Waterways—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vessel Detail files, 

www.iwr.usace.army.mil/ndc.

As of year-end 2008, nearly 40,000 U.S. privately-owned vessels were available for operation in U.S. foreign and 

domestic trades. Over the last five years, the largest growth in 

vessels has been in the dry bulk, container, and offshore supply 

vessel (serving offshore oil exploration) fleets.

U.S. Privately-Owned Fleets, 2003-2008

(Vessels)

Fleet 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Ocean/Lakes 651 665 688 680 662 675 3.7

Tanker 287 290 275 272 233 234 -18.5

 DH 173 187 193 202 175 187 8.1

Dry Bulk 163 175 201 210 214 221 35.6

 Lakers 50 49 48 47 47 47 -6.0

Container 82 85 86 83 99 102 24.4

Ro-Ro 54 53 58 55 57 58 7.4

Gas 17 17 18 17 19 20 17.6

Combo 15 11 12 4 2 2 -86.7

General 33 34 38 39 38 38 15.2

Offshore

 Supply 490 518 532 629 652 689 40.6

Coastal &

Waterways 37,082 37,209 37,936 38,078 37,589 38,502 3.8

Tugs 5,172 5,314 5,290 5,285 5,356 5,707 10.3

Dry barges 27,272 27,197 27,876 27,937 27,162 27,577 1.1

Tank Barges 4,031 4,069 4,151 4,250 4,467 4,607 14.3

 DH 2,809 2,895 3,014 3,124 3,256 3,315 18.0

Ferries 607 629 619 606 604 611 0.7

Total 38,223 38,392 39,156 39,387 38,903 39,866 4.3
16 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Fleet Indicators

Notes: Year-end fleets. The U.S. privately-owned fleet consists of vessels operated under 

U.S. and foreign flags. All coastal and waterways vessels are U.S.-flag with unrestricted 

coastwise trading privileges. DH—double-hull. Ocean/Lakes—Vessels of 10,000 DWT 

or greater. 

Sources: Ocean and Offshore—Clarkson Research, Vessel Register, www.clarksons.net.

Coastal and Waterways—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vessel Detail Files, 

www.iwr.usace.army.mil/.

As of year-end 2008, 49 percent of the U.S. privatelyowned vessels were older than 25 years (built before 

1984). Twenty-eight percent of the ocean and Great Lakes 

vessels were older than 25 years.

Age Profile of U.S. Privately-Owned Fleets, 2008

(Vessels)

Year Built

Fleet Before

1984

 1984-

1988

 1989-

1993

 1994-

1998

 1999-

2003

After

2003

Ocean/Lakes 192 105 51 93 138 96

Tanker 34 20 24 45 65 46

 DH 10 9 12 45 65 46

Dry Bulk 81 29 9 22 49 31

 Lakers 47 0 0 0 0 0

Container 19 27 12 19 15 10

Ro-Ro 23 14 2 7 7 5

Gas 13 0 1 2 4

Combo 2 0 0 0 0 0

General 20 15 3 0 0 0

Offshore

 Supply 334 22 16 64 135 118

Coastal &

 Waterways 18,849 1,246 3,348 5,781 4,731 4,547

Tugs 4,689 129 131 216 251 291

Dry Cargo

 barges 11,369 1,017 2,855 5,044 3,922 3,370

Tank Barges 2,492 35 298 450 477 855

 DH 1,673 18 276 382 380 586

Ferries 299 65 64 71 81 31

Total 19,375 1,373 3,415 5,938 5,004 4,761
Fleet Indicators 17

Notes: Year-end fleets. Ocean/Lakes—Vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. DH—doublehull. Jones Act Fleet—Vessels built in the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; or vessels 

reconstructed in the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; or foreign-built vessels forfeited 

for violation of U.S. law and registered under U.S.-flag. Jones Act vessels have unrestricted 

coastwise trading privileges.

Source: Clarkson Research, Vessel Register, www.clarksons.net.

As of year-end 2008, 238 U.S.-flag, privately-owned ocean and Great Lakes vessels were available for operation in 

U.S. foreign and domestic trades. Of these, 145 were Jones Act 

vessels with unrestricted coastwise trading privileges. Over the 

last 5 years, the U.S.-flag fleet has declined by five percent, due 

largely to a 22 percent decline in the Jones Act tanker fleet. 

U.S.-Flag Privately-Owned Ocean and 

Great Lakes Fleets, 2003-2008

(Vessels)

Fleet 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

U.S. Flag 251 249 249 236 236 238 -5.2

Tanker 68 60 60 59 55 55 -19.1

 DH 29 27 31 35 36 41 41.4

Dry Bulk 64 64 61 60 61 60 -6.3

 Lakers 50 49 48 47 47 47 -6.0

Container 74 81 79 70 76 75 1.4

Ro-Ro 36 36 41 39 37 41 13.9

General 9 8 8 8 7 7 -22.2

Jones Act 164 157 154 151 146 145 -11.6

Tanker 65 59 56 55 51 51 -21.5

 DH 28 26 27 31 32 37 32.1

Dry Bulk 54 53 52 51 51 51 -5.6

 Lakers 50 49 48 47 47 47 -6.0

Container 28 28 29 28 27 27 -3.6

Ro-Ro 15 15 15 15 15 15 0.0

General 2 2 2 2 2 1 -50.0

Fleet Indicators
18 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Fleet Indicators

As of year-end 2008, 47 percent of the U.S.-flag ocean and Great Lakes vessels were older than 25 years (built before 1984).

For the Jones Act segment, 69 percent of the vessels were older than 

25 years. 

Notes: Year-end fleets. Ocean/Lakes—Vessels of 10,000 DWT or greater. DH—doublehull. Jones Act Fleet—Vessels built in the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; or vessels 

reconstructed in the U.S. and registered under U.S.-flag; or foreign-built vessels forfeited 

for violation of U.S. law and registered under U.S.-flag. Jones Act vessels have unrestricted 

coastwise trading privileges.

Source: Clarkson Research, Vessel Register, www.clarksons.net.

Age Profile of U.S.-Flag Privately-Owned

Ocean and Great Lakes Fleets, 2008

(Vessels)

Fleet Before

1984

 1984-

1988

 1989-

1993

 1994-

1998

 1999-

2003

After

2003

U.S.-Flag 113 38 7 34 19 27

Tanker 19 4 1 11 7 13 DH 9 1 0 11 7 13

Dry Bulk 53 4 0 0 2 1

 Lakers 47 0 0 0 0 0

Container 19 21 3 16 7 9

Ro-Ro 17 8 2 7 3 4

General 5 1 1 0 0 0

Jones Act 100 9 2 9 8 17

Tanker 19 4 1 9 5 13

 DH 9 1 0 9 5 13

Dry Bulk 51 0 0 0 0 0

 Lakers 47 0 0 0 0 0

Container 19 3 1 0 1 3

Ro-Ro 10 2 0 0 2 1 General 1 0 0 0 0 0
Macroeconomic Indicators 19

Over the last 5 years, 25,800 jobs were added in water transportation and related industries, an increase of nearly 

20 percent. The largest increases were in the transportation and 

shipbuilding and repair segments.

Note: The Current Employment Survey series are estimates of nonfarm wage and salary 

jobs, not estimates of employed persons; an individual with two jobs is counted twice by 

the survey.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics Survey, 

www.bls.gov.

U.S. Employment in Water Transportation and 

Related Industries, 2003-2008

(Thousands)

Segment 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 % Ch. 

2003-08

Transportation 54.5 56.4 60.6 62.7 65.5 65.2 19.6

Port Services 93.8 91.5 93.9 99.3 100.1 97.0 3.4

 Cargo 

 Handling 40.8 40.8 42.8 45.6 46.2 44.9 10.0

 Other 53.0 50.7 51.1 53.7 53.9 52.1 -1.7

Shipbuilding

and Repair 92.6 90.8 92.2 95.1 101.0 104.5 12.9

Total 240.9 238.7 246.7 257.1 266.6 266.7 10.7

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

U.S. Employment in Water Transportation and 

Related Industries, 2003-2008

(Thousands)

0

60

120

180

240

300 Water Transportation Port Services

Shipbuilding and Repair

240

120

300

180

60

0

Macroeconomic Indicators
20 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Macroeconomic Indicators

The average price for water transportation services increased by 27 percent over the last 5 years. The 

largest increases were in the domestic segments; coastal (38 

percent), Great Lakes (45 percent) and inland (74 percent). The 

increase in prices for inland (barge) services exceeded that 

for rail carload services and contributed to an increase in rail 

shipments of grains and other primary commodities to Pacific 

Northwest ports. 

Over the same period shipbuilding prices increased by 41 

percent, reflecting a surge in orders for new vessels.

Note: The Producer Price Index (PPI) is a family of indexes that measures the average 

change over time in selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and services.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov.

U.S. Producer Prices, Water Transportation and Related 

Industries, 2003-2008

(Indexes)

Segment 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Water Transportation 100.0 101.3 106.4 111.1 113.5 127.4

 Deep Sea 100.0 102.8 105.5 106.1 104.6 118.7

 Coastwise 100.0 101.2 111.4 121.1 133.2 138.4

 Great Lakes 100.0 101.3 105.4 113.2 125.3 145.0

 Inland 100.0 105.1 121.4 146.7 149.2 174.0

Port Services 100.0 101.0 103.5 107.7 112.7 117.1

 Cargo Handling 100.0 100.5 102.2 105.1 109.0 110.5

Shipbuilding and Repair 100.0 105.3 108.0 112.0 116.7 119.6

Shipbuilding

 Self-Propelled 100.0 108.3 115.2 124.3 132.1 141.0

 Non-Self-Propelled 100.0 107.8 120.0 131.5 137.1 141.1

Repair 100.0 101.0 102.9 110.1 122.7 125.0

Other Related Prices

 Rail, Carload 100.0 105.2 117.5 127.7 132.1 147.7

 Fuel

 Heavy Fuel Oil 100.0 99.0 147.1 159.2 171.4 227.0

 Diesel 100.0 127.6 188.2 215.8 234.3 323.7
Macroeconomic Indicators 21

Macroeconomic Indicators

Notes: Gross Output is the market value of goods and services produced by labor and 

property in the United States. Value added is a measure of the contribution of each private 

industry and of government to the nation’s GDP. It is defined as gross output minus 

intermediate inputs.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gross Domestic Product by Industry Accounts, 

www.bea.gov.

U.S. Water Transportation Gross Output, 2002-2007

(Billion Dollars)

Components 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 % Ch. 

2002-07

Gross Output (GO) 28.1 31.3 36.3 35.8 36.3 36.1 28.5

Intermediate Inputs 21.1 22.6 26.8 25.9 25.5 25.4 20.4

 Energy 1.1 1.5 2.4 2.8 2.7 2.7 145.5

 Materials 1.4 1.5 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.5 7.1

 Services 18.6 19.7 22.6 21.5 21.2 21.1 13.4

Value-Added 7.0 8.7 9.5 10.0 10.8 10.7 52.9

 Labor 3.8 3.8 4.3 4.7 5.0 5.5 44.7

 Taxes less subsidies 0.2 0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 50.0

 Operating Surplus 3.0 4.6 5.5 5.0 5.8 4.9 63.3

For the period 2002-2007, value-added (gross output less the cost of intermediate inputs) for U.S. water transportation increased 

by 53 percent despite a 145 percent increase in the cost of energy 

inputs. Over the same period, the industry’s gross operating surplus 

(income) increased by 63 percent.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

U.S. Water Transportation Gross Output, 2002-2007

(Billion Dollars)

0

10

20

30

40

Other Inputs

Energy Inputs

Value-Added

30

10

40

20

0
22 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Macroeconomic Indicators

In 2007, water transportation ranked second among modes in energy efficiency (energy costs per dollar of gross output). 

However, energy costs for rail, the most energy efficient mode, 

have risen faster than those for the other modes.

Note: Gross Output is the market value of goods and services produced by labor and 

property in the United States.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gross Domestic Product by Industry Accounts, 

www.bea.gov.

Energy Inputs by Mode, 2002-2007

Mode 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 % Ch. 

2002-07

Billion Dollars

 Rail 1.4 1.6 2.3 3.5 4.0 4.5 221.4 Water 1.1 1.5 2.4 2.8 2.7 2.7 145.5 Air 12.3 13.9 19.6 31.3 33.8 36.5 196.7 Truck 17.1 17.7 21.9 29.6 34.0 34.7 102.9 Transit 1.9 2.1 2.2 2.8 3.2 3.3 73.7

 Pipeline 4.1 4.1 4.3 5.5 5.4 5.7 39.0 All Modes 37.9 40.9 52.7 75.5 83.1 87.4 130.6

% of Gross Output

 Rail 3.2 3.4 4.5 5.9 5.9 6.4 100.0 Water 3.9 4.8 6.6 7.8 7.4 7.5 92.3 Air 11.8 12.0 15.5 23.0 23.4 24.3 105.9 Truck 8.3 8.7 9.7 11.8 12.7 12.6 51.8 Transit 7.4 7.8 7.9 9.6 10.5 10.5 41.9

 Pipeline 12.9 13.0 13.1 16.8 16.1 16.7 29.5 All Modes 8.6 9.0 10.5 13.9 14.3 14.6 69.8

Rail Water Air Truck Transit Pipeline

0

5

10

15

20

25

6.4

7.5

24.3

12.6

10.5

16.7

20

5

25

15

0

10

Energy Inputs as a Percent of Gross Output 

by Mode, 2007
Macroeconomic Indicators 23

Macroeconomic Indicators

For the period 2002-2007, the value of water transportation fixed assets increased by 35 percent, the highest 5-year growth in 25 

years. Vessel assets increased by 23 percent. The investment in new 

vessel assets was largely to replace assets built 25 years earlier. 

Note: Fixed assets are produced assets that are used repeatedly or continuously in the 

process of production for an extended period of time. They include equipment, software, 

and structures.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Fixed Asset Accounts, www.bea.gov.

U.S. Water Transportation Fixed Assets 

and Investment 2002-2007

(Billion Dollars)

Type 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 % Ch. 

2002-07

Fixed Assets 42.3 44.5 46.8 49.3 53.5 57.3 35.5

 Vessels 23.4 24.6 25.7 26.8 28.1 28.8 23.1

 Buildings 4.6 4.8 5.2 5.9 7.0 8.3 80.4

 Communications 10.2 10.9 11.6 12.2 13.6 15.1 48.0

 Other 4.0 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.8 5.1 27.5

Investment 5.2 4.9 5.5 5.5 6.8 7.3 40.4

 Vessels 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0 1.8 1.8 0.0

 Buildings 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.9 1.3 333.3

 Communications 2.3 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.9 3.0 30.4

 Other 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.2 1.2 33.3

1978 2006

U.S. Water Transportation Fixed Assets, 1977-2007

(Billion Dollars)

0

15

30

45

60

Other

Communications

Buildings

1982 1986 1994 1998 2002

45

15

60

30

0

Vessels

1990

Coastwise – Domestic traffic receiving a carriage over the 

ocean, or the Gulf of Mexico, and traffic between Great 

Lakes ports and seacoast ports, when having a carriage 

over the ocean.

Combination Carrier – Ore/bulk/oil carriers, and bulk/oil 

carriers.

Containership – Fully cellular containerships and refrigerated 

container carriers.

Current Employment Survey (CES) – The CES employment 

series are estimates of non-farm wage and salary jobs, not 

estimates of employed persons; an individual with two jobs 

is counted twice by the survey.

Deadweight Ton (DWT) – The total weight (metric tons) of 

cargo, fuel, fresh water, stores and crew which a ship can 

carry when immersed to its load line.

Dry Bulk Carrier– Bulk Vessels, bulk containerships, cement 

carriers, ore carriers, and wood-chip carriers.

Fixed assets – Produced assets that are used repeatedly or 

continuously in the process of production of goods and/or 

services for an extended period of time.

Foreign trade – Waterborne import, export and in-transit 

traffic between the United States, Puerto Rico and the 

Virgin Islands and any foreign country.

Gas Carrier – Liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, liquefied 

petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, and LNG/LPG carriers.

General Cargo – General cargo carriers, partial containerships, 

refrigerated ships, barge carriers, and livestock carriers.

Great Lakes (Lakes) – Waterborne traffic between United 

States ports on the Great Lakes System.

Gross output – The market value of goods and services 

produced by labor and property in the United States.

Glossary

Glossary 25
26 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Glossary

Inland – Vessel movements (origin and destination) which take 

place solely on inland waterways. An inland waterway 

is geographically located within the boundaries of the 

contiguous 48 states or within the boundaries of the State 

of Alaska. It also includes vessel movements on both inland 

waterways and the Great Lakes; those occurring between 

offshore areas and inland waterways (e.g., oil rig supplies 

and fish); and those taking place within Delaware Bay, 

Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound, and the San Francisco Bay, 

which are considered internal bodies of water rather than 

arms of the ocean.

Jones Act Fleet – Vessels built in the U.S. and registered 

under U.S. flag; or vessels reconstructed in the U.S. 

and registered under U.S. flag; or foreign-built vessels 

forfeited for violation of U.S. law and registered under 

U.S. flag. These vessels have unrestricted coastwise 

trading privileges.

Maritime Security Program (MSP) – A national defense 

program that provides financial assistance to oceangoing 

ship owners and operators in return for making their 

ships and crews—and the intermodal transportation and 

communication network of the ship operator—available 

to the Department of Defense for sealift operations 

during times of war or national emergency.

North Atlantic (N. Atl.) – All ports from Eastport, ME to 

Baltimore MD.

Pacific Northwest (PNW) – All U.S. ports from Barrow, AK to 

Coos Bay, OR.

Pacific Southwest (PSW) – All ports from Crockett, CA to San 

Diego, CA and all Hawaiian ports.

Panamax – The maximum dimensions (ft.) allowed for a ship 

transiting Panama Canal locks:

Length 965 

Beam 106

Draft 39.5
27

Glossary

Glossary

Puerto Rico (PR) – All ports in Puerto Rico.

Producer Prices – The Producer Price Index (PPI) is a family 

of indexes that measures the average change over time in 

selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and 

services. PPIs measure price change from the perspective 

of the seller. This contrasts with other measure price 

change from the purchaser’s perspective. Sellers’ and 

purchasers’ prices may differ due to government subsidies, 

sales and excise taxes, and distribution costs. 

RO-RO – Roll-on/roll-off vessels, ro-ro containerships, and 

vehicle carriers.

South Atlantic (S. Atl.) – All ports from Alexandria, VA to Miami, 

FL. 

Tanker – Petroleum tankers, and chemical tankers.

Product: 10,000 – 69,999 DWT.

Crude: > = 70,000 DWT.

Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) – A nominal unit of 

measure equivalent to a 20’ x 8’ x 8’ shipping container.

Trans Alaska Pipeline – An 800-mile long pipeline system that 

stretches from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North Slope, to 

Valdez, the northernmost ice-free port in North America.

U.S. Gulf – All ports from Key West, FL to Brownsville, TX.

Value-Added – A measure of the contribution of each private 

industry and of government to the nation’s gross domestic 

product. It is defined as gross output minus intermediate 

inputs.
28

Notes

Notes
Notes

29 U.S. Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration

Photo Credits

Front Cover

NCL America

Alaska Tanker Company

Canal Barge Line

Maersk Line

Back Cover

Southern Union Company

Fidelio Limited Partnership

Port of Houston

Statistics published in this U.S. Water Transportation Statistical Snapshot come from many different sources. Some statistics may be subject to 

omissions and errors in reporting, recording and 

processing.