U.S. waterways are primarily used to transport bulk commodities like coal, grain, and oil.

The most frequently transported commodities on American waterways are bulk commodities like coal, grain, oil, and chemicals. This is because water transport is more cost-effective per ton than road or rail for the large-scale, effective transportation of heavy items across long distances. These vital resources are shipped over a vast network of waterways, including the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and others, which links businesses with both domestic and foreign ports. U.S. waterways assist important industries like manufacturing, energy, and agriculture by offering an affordable means of transporting these bulk commodities, increasing commerce and economic production.