Development of a Web-Based Foreign Waterborne Cargo Data System in the United States

As nations forge strategic trade alliances, international marine trade is expected to increase, and the United States is expected to play a prominent role. This situation will require the private sector to play a critical role in identifying and entering new markets; correspondingly, public authorities must continue to provide adequate port services. Achieving this objective means having access to reliable foreign waterborne cargo data in a timely manner. In an effort to improve data access and use for analysis purposes, a web-based foreign waterborne cargo data system for the United States was developed to query the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' foreign waterborne cargo databases and report on U.S. port cargo movements (exports, imports, and in-transit) to foreign ports, countries, or regions. Query tools have been developed for cargo flows, cargo flow changes, ton-miles, container traffic, and additional reports. Potential system users include government agencies, international organizations, businesses, port authorities, individual shippers or carriers, trade associations, and chambers of commerce. The aim of this paper is to highlight some of the current challenges in U.S. foreign waterborne transportation and present the results of the U.S. data system on foreign waterborne cargo. The main system query and report tools are illustrated through several examples. Also presented is a brief discussion on the benefits of utilizing these flexible tools and future system enhancements, which will focus on integrating foreign and domestic flows into a single system and improving cargo flow mapping by showing port–port routes.