This major group covers companies engaged in the transportation of freight and passengers over water — including ocean, coastal, and inland waterways. It includes businesses operating cargo ships, tankers, ferries, cruise lines, sightseeing boats, and water taxis. Supporting activities such as towing, lighterage, canal operations, and other marine transport services are also part of this category. Cargo handling services performed by transportation companies are classified here unless reported separately, in which case they fall under Industry 4491. Charter and party fishing boats are classified under Services, Industry 7999.
An establishment primarily engaged in water transportation (Major Group 44) is categorized based on its main activity, such as deep sea freight and passenger transport, inland water shipping, or specialized marine support services like towing, marina operations, and cargo handling.
Industry Group 441: Deep Sea Foreign Transportation of Freight
- 4412 Deep Sea Foreign Transportation of Freight
Industry Group 442: Deep Sea Domestic Transportation of Freight
- 4424 Deep Sea Domestic Transportation of Freight
Industry Group 443: Freight Transportation on the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway
- 4432 Freight Transportation on the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway
Industry Group 444: Water Transportation of Freight, Not Elsewhere Classified
- 4449 Water Transportation of Freight, Not Elsewhere Classified
Industry Group 448: Water Transportation of Passengers
- 4481 Deep Sea Transportation of Passengers, Except by Ferry
- 4482 Ferries
- 4489 Water Transportation of Passengers, Not Elsewhere Classified
Industry Group 449: Services Incidental to Water Transportation
- 4491 Marine Cargo Handling
- 4492 Towing and Tugboat Services
- 4493 Marinas
- 4499 Water Transportation Services, Not Elsewhere Classified
