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.
