The international trend in commercial shipping is toward fewer but larger vessels.
Maritime commerce is critical to the health of the U.S. economy.
More than 98 percent of our nation's foreign trade by weight consists of waterborne cargo. Today, foreign trade accounts for more than 20 percent of our nation's gross domestic product. By the year 2000, this figure is expected to climb to 30 percent. The international trend in commercial shipping is toward fewer but larger vessels. With better information about water levels, currents, and obstructions, the newer, deeper-draft ships can enter U.S. harbors and carry more cargo for export.