Analysis
NAICS 488390 is the 2022 national industry for other support activities for water transportation, part of 48839 (Other Support Activities for Water Transportation). Census lists 6 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 759 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 7,786 people at an average annual payroll of $81,691 per employee (70th percentile of national industries). 63% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 238320, 561720, 488310 and 237990. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include cargo checkers, marine, cargo surveyors, marine, drydocks, floating (i.e., routine repair and maintenance of… and marine cargo checkers and surveyors, among 6 in all.
For example, ship painting are classified in 238320 (Painting and Wall Covering Contractors) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 4% and employment rose 6%. 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.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services to water transportation (except port and harbor operations; marine cargo handling services; and navigational services to shipping).
Illustrative Examples:
Floating drydocks (i.e., routine repair and maintenance of ships) Ship scaling services Marine cargo checkers and surveyors
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Ship painting | 238320 Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
| Providing ship janitorial services | 561720 Janitorial Services |
| Operating port, harbor, or canal facilities | 488310 Port and Harbor Operations |
| Providing dredging services | 237990 Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction |
| Providing stevedoring and other marine cargo handling services (except warehousing) | 488320 Marine Cargo Handling |
| Providing navigational services to shipping | 488330 Navigational Services to Shipping |
| Providing ship overhauling or repairs in a shipyard | 336611 Ship Building and Repairing |
| Providing towing services on inland waters | 483211 Inland Water Freight Transportation |
Index entries (6)
- Cargo checkers, marine
- Cargo surveyors, marine
- Drydocks, floating (i.e., routine repair and maintenance of ships)
- Marine cargo checkers and surveyors
- Ship dismantling at floating drydock
- Ship scaling services not done at a shipyard