Chapter Two
Transportation Services

Matthew Chambers

The U.S. water transportation services industry comprises companies that carry freight or passengers on the open seas, the Great Lakes, or U.S. inland waterways; offer lighterage¹ and towing services; operate canals and terminals; and own and charter vessels and handle cargo and passengers. The major segments of the industry are domestic and international freight transportation, passenger transportation, and port and terminal services. This chapter displays information on vessel and terminal operating agreements, vessel types, and the world and U.S. fl eet. Finally, port facilities, locations, and port calls data are shown.

¹ Lighterage is the carriage of goods by a lighter (a ship or barge used to load or unload a vessel) and charges assessed therefrom.