United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (2026). Port Performance Freight Statistics: 2026 Annual Report. United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. https://doi.org/10.21949/1403522
United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Port Performance Freight Statistics: 2026 Annual Report. United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2026. https://doi.org/10.21949/1403522.
United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Port Performance Freight Statistics: 2026 Annual Report. United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2026, ROSA P. https://doi.org/10.21949/1403522.
U.S. ports are located throughout the country and are critical for the U.S. economy. In 2024, they accounted for 41 percent of all U.S. imports and exports, totaling over $2.1 trillion. Exports accounted for 34 percent of this value while imports accounted for 66 percent. In addition, waterborne transportation1 and its support activities employed 164,900 people in the United States, with a total annual payroll of $13.5 billion in 2024 U.S. Department of Labor, 2025.
Measuring port performance is crucial for optimizing U.S. trade and supply chains. Performance measures provide the data needed for port stakeholders and policymakers to make informed strategic and operational decisions. These decisions aim to improve efficiency and reduce costs, enhance competitiveness, increase supply chain predictability, and inform future planning and investment.
Content Notes:
All material contained in this document is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without special permission. Source citation is required.
United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (2026). Port Performance Freight Statistics: 2026 Annual Report. United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. https://doi.org/10.21949/1403522
United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Port Performance Freight Statistics: 2026 Annual Report. United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2026. https://doi.org/10.21949/1403522.
United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Port Performance Freight Statistics: 2026 Annual Report. United States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2026, ROSA P. https://doi.org/10.21949/1403522.
ROSA P serves as an archival repository of USDOT-published products including scientific
findings, journal articles, guidelines, recommendations, or other information authored or co-authored by
USDOT or funded partners. As a repository, ROSA P retains documents in their original published format to
ensure public access to scientific information.
Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving a Bureau of Transportation
Statistics (BTS)/National Transportation Library (NTL)
Web-based service.
Thank you for visiting.
You are about to access a non-government link outside of
the U.S. Department of Transportation's National
Transportation Library.
Please note: While links to Web sites outside of DOT are
offered for your convenience, when you exit DOT Web sites,
Federal privacy policy and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act (accessibility requirements) no longer apply. In
addition, DOT does not attest to the accuracy, relevance,
timeliness or completeness of information provided by linked
sites. Linking to a Web site does not constitute an
endorsement by DOT of the sponsors of the site or the
products presented on the site. For more information, please
view DOT's Web site linking policy.
To get back to the page you were previously viewing, click
your Cancel button.