Despite the growth in high-tech communication and high-speed transportation the nation's ports and waterways remain the crucial backbone of our economy. Nearly 2.5 billion tons of cargo are shipped to, from or through 40 states each year. The Corps navigation services play an essential role in ensuring that commercial goods move smoothly along the distribution chain.

Did you know that…

• More than 95 percent of imported and exported goods from overseas move by ship, including 9 million barrels of oil per day.
• The U.S. marine transportation industry supports nearly $1 trillion in commerce and 13 million jobs.
• The unit cost to transport commodities over inland waterways is two to three times lower than other forms of transportation. The ability to ship goods safely and reliably via inland waterways translates into about $7 billion annually in transportation savings for American businesses.
• More than 67 percent of all consumer goods purchased by Americans pass through harbors maintained by the Corps.
• Inland waterways maintained by the Corps handle over 630 million tons of consumer goods per year valued at over $70 billion.

A smooth, well-functioning navigation system is crucial to the nation's economy. Each year the Corps invests more than $1.4 billion in engineering, construction, operations and maintenance of the nation's waterways, ports and harbors. Over the next 20 years shipment of cargo by container ships is expected to increase by 65 percent creating even greater need for the Corps services.

revised 10/31/05

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