488320

Analysis

NAICS 488320 is the 2022 national industry for marine cargo handling, part of 48832 (Marine Cargo Handling). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 485 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 66,890 people at an average annual payroll of $90,025 per employee (77th percentile of national industries). 31% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.

Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include loading and unloading services at ports and harbors, longshoremen services, marine cargo handling services and ship hold cleaning services, among 5 in all.

Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 488991, 493 and 488310. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.

For example, preparing freight for transportation (except warehousing) are classified in 488991 (Packing and Crating) instead.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 5% and employment rose 7%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.