U.S. Foreign Waterborne Trade
(million metric tons)
Source: U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers
| Year | Liner Trades | Tanker Trades | Other Trades | Total |
| 1977 | 48 | 439 | 289 | 776 |
| 1978 | 56 | 410 | 309 | 775 |
| 1979 | 57 | 423 | 343 | 823 |
| 1980 | 59 | 356 | 357 | 772 |
| 1981 | 60 | 334 | 366 | 760 |
| 1982 | 54 | 285 | 336 | 675 |
| 1983 | 57 | 256 | 318 | 631 |
| 1984 | 64 | 267 | 346 | 677 |
| 1985 | 67 | 247 | 328 | 642 |
| 1986 | 73 | 299 | 314 | 686 |
| 1987 | 81 | 317 | 332 | 730 |
| 1988 | 85 | 347 | 399 | 831 |
| 1989 | 93 | 385 | 403 | 881 |
| 1990 | 99 | 387 | 408 | 894 |
| 1991 | 105 | 358 | 404 | 867 |
| 1992 | 106 | 393 | 392 | 891 |
| 1993 | 112 | 429 | 367 | 908 |
| 1994 | 123 | 453 | 364 | 940 |
| 1995 | 137 | 426 | 435 | 998 |
| 1996 | 125 | 475 | 390 | 990 |
| 1997 | 121 | 532 | 414 | 1067 |
| 1998 | 120 | 564 | 405 | 1089 |
| 1999 | 143 | 590 | 378 | 1111 |
| 2000 | 149 | 600 | 374 | 1123 |
| 2001 | 150 | 628 | 383 | 1161 |
| 2002 | 162 | 602 | 373 | 1137 |
| 2003 | 604 | 1210 | ||
| 2004 | 630 | 1306 | ||
| 2005 | 643 | 1359 |