Table 3-1 U.S. Waterborne Trade, 2001-2005
Table 3-1
U.S. Waterborne Trade, 2001-2005
(million metric tons)
| Trade | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | Percent change 2001-05 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2,103.20 | 2,057.60 | 2,131.50 | 2,255.60 | 2,277.80 | 8.3 |
| Foreign | 1,157.50 | 1,131.30 | 1,209.60 | 1,305.70 | 1,348.80 | 16.5 |
| Imports | 830.1 | 813.9 | 879.9 | 954.6 | 995.2 | 19.9 |
| Tanker | 572.8 | 568.9 | 604.5 | 630.1 | 643.2 | 12.3 |
| Container | 80.7 | 91.9 | 98.1 | 112.9 | 122.8 | 52.1 |
| Exports | 327.4 | 317.4 | 329.7 | 351.1 | 353.6 | 8 |
| Tanker | 55.3 | 51.8 | 52.9 | 57.2 | 55.5 | 0.4 |
| Container | 63.8 | 62.3 | 68 | 74.4 | 79.5 | 24.6 |
| Domestic | 945.7 | 926.3 | 921.9 | 949.9 | 929 | -1.8 |
| Coastwise | 202.8 | 196.3 | 202.8 | 200.1 | 191.8 | -5.4 |
| Tanker | 85.1 | 80.3 | 81.3 | 78.8 | 73.1 | -14.1 |
| Inland | 562.3 | 551.6 | 553.0 | 568.1 | 564.4 | 0.4 |
| Lakes | 90.7 | 92.1 | 81.5 | 93.9 | 87.3 | -3.7 |
| Other | 89.9 | 86.3 | 84.6 | 87.8 | 85.5 | -4.9 |
SOURCES: U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, prepared from: U.S. Bureau of Census for foreign trade; Port Import Export Reporting Service (PIERS) for container trades; and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce of the United States 2005.
- The U.S. water transportation industry serves the needs of both foreign and domestic commerce. It comprises companies that carry freight or passengers on the open seas or inland waterways, offer towing services, charter vessels, and operate canals and terminals.
- In 2005, U.S. waterborne commerce amounted to 2.3 billion metric tons. International commerce accounted for 59% of the total, up from 55% 5 years earlier. The change in composition was due largely to a 12% rise in tanker imports and a 14% decline in coastal (domestic) tanker trade.
- While container trade accounted for only 15% of U.S. foreign water borne trade (metric tons), imports increased by 52% and exports rose by 25% over the last 5 years.