Marad: More Ships Stopping at U.S. Ports

(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Press Release)

A report released yesterday from the U.S. Maritime Administration shows more ships are stopping at U.S. ports.  The stops, or vessel calls, rebounded by 13 percent in 2010, after an eight percent decline in 2009.  Oceangoing vessel calls reflect waterborne trade between the United States and countries around the world, and are a measure of import, export and domestic ocean shipments. 

“Although challenges remain, this encouraging rebound in oceangoing vessels is a sign that President Obama's economic policies are working," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  "We're committed to supporting policies that will build on this momentum so that the maritime industry will continue to grow and create American jobs."

The 2010 Vessel Calls Snapshot report contains data on calls by oceangoing vessels at U.S. ports.   In 2010, 7,579 oceangoing vessels made 62,747 calls at U.S. ports. Of the 2010 calls,

·         35 percent were by tankers carrying oil and gas used to power our cars and heat our homes,

·         31 percent were by containerships carrying general export and import cargo for markets around the U.S. and the world,

·         17 percent were by dry bulk vessels carrying iron, coal and grain for export,

·         9 percent were by roll-on roll-off vessels carrying vehicles for import and export, and

·         6 percent were by general cargo ships.

In addition, the report shows that tanker operators are replacing single-hull vessels with new, greener double-hull ships.  In 2010, 97 percent of the tanker calls were by double-hull vessels, up from 78 percent five years earlier.

"As our economy recovers, maritime can play even more of a key role in the affordable, efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation of goods, both within our borders and across oceans," said U.S. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda.

The Vessel Call Snapshot 2010 report is available online at http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/Vessel_Calls_at_US_Ports_Snapshot.pdf .

The report summarizes and highlights vessel calls for U.S. ports by coast and vessel type, age, size, global vessel calls, and top 10 U.S. port calls.