USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Table 1-4 - U.S.-Flag Waterborne Cargo-Carrying Vessel Fleet Profile: 1997

Monday, September 10, 2012

Table 1-4 - U.S.-Flag Waterborne Cargo-Carrying Vessel Fleet Profile: 1997

  ICST codes Vessels Total cargo capacity(short tons) Average cargo capacity1
(short tons)		 Average age2
Self-propelled3   2,209 13,973,152 6,326 22
Dry cargo   692 6,191,012 8,947 23
Containership 310 82 2,632,171 32,100 16
Dry bulk carrier 229 72 2,529,358 35,130 28
General cargo 333,334,335 350 943,899 2,697 27
Specialized 321,325,329 188 85,584 455 19
Offshore support 422 1,370 306,120 223 26
Tanker 114,120,139,199 147 7,476,020 50,857 23
Non-self-propelled   33,011 54,974,961 1,665 20
Dry cargo barge 341-344,349 29,040 43,809,931 1,509 17
Tank barge 141-144,149 3,971 11,264,868 2,837 23

1 Average is calculated from only those vessels with known capacity and not the total number of vessels.

2 Age is based on the year the vessel was built or rebuilt. Average is calculated from only those vessels with known year built or rebuilt.

3 Does not include passenger vessels and towboats.

KEY: ICST = International Classification of Ships by Type.

NOTE: Includes vessels operating or available to operate in 1997.
Excludes, for example, fishing and excursion vessels, general ferries and dredges used in construction work.

SOURCE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Navigation Data Center, Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center, Vessel Characteristics Database (New Orleans, LA: 1999).