This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing water transportation of passengers in coastal waters, the Great Lakes System, or deep seas between ports of the United States, Puerto Rico, and United States island possessions and protectorates. Marine transportation establishments using the facilities of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority Commission are considered to be using the Great Lakes Water Transportation System.

• Coastal passenger transportation to and from domestic ports
• Cruise lines (i.e., deep sea passenger transportation to and from domestic ports, including Puerto Rico)
• Deep sea passenger transportation to and from domestic ports (including Puerto Rico)
• Ferry passenger transportation, Great Lakes (including St. Lawrence Seaway)
• Great Lakes passenger transportation (including St. Lawrence Seaway)
• Intercoastal transportation of passengers to and from domestic ports
• Lake passenger transportation, Great Lakes (including St. Lawrence Seaway)
• Passenger transportation, coastal or Great Lakes (including St. Lawrence Seaway)
• Passenger transportation, deep sea, to and from domestic ports (including Puerto Rico)
• Ship chartering with crew, coastal or Great Lakes passenger transportation (including St. Lawrence Seaway)