Figures 2-5 and 2-5M: U.S. International Merchandise Trade by Mode of Transportation: 2001

Nearly 80 percent of freight tons in U.S. foreign trade are transported by ship. Although the vast majority of freight tonnage in U.S. foreign trade moves by water, air and truck transportation are nearly as important when freight value is considered. By value, the water share drops to 40 percent, with 28 percent moving by air and 21 percent moving by truck.

Data represented in the figure
Table in Excel format

Mode	Total trade Billions of current U.S. dollars	Exports Billions of current U.S. dollars	Imports Billions of current U.S. dollars
Water	718	199	520
Air	519	251	267
Truck	395	192	204
Rail	93	23	69
Pipeline	26	0.5	26
Other, unknown, and miscellaneous	121	65	57
Total, all modes	1,873	731	1,142

Mode	Total trade Millions of short tons	Exports Millions of short tons	Imports Millions of short tons
Water	1,276	361	915
Air	6	3	3
Truck	180	89	92
Rail	97	22	75
Pipeline	79	4	75
Other, unknown, and miscellaneous	4	2	2
Total, all modes	1,643	481	1,162

Table 2-5M (metric units)
Table in Excel format

Mode	Total trade Billions of current U.S. dollars	Exports Billions of current U.S. dollars	Imports Billions of current U.S. dollars
Water	718	199	520
Air	519	251	267
Truck	395	192	204
Rail	93	23	69
Pipeline	26	0.5	26
Other, unknown, and miscellaneous	121	65	57
Total, all modes	1,873	731	1,142

Mode	Total trade Millions of metric tonnes	Exports Millions of metric tonnes	Imports Millions of metric tonnes
Water	1,157	327	830
Air	6	2	3
Truck	164	81	83
Rail	88	20	68
Pipeline	72	4	68
Other, unknown, and miscellaneous	3	2	2
Total, all modes	1,490	436	1,055

Note: 1 short ton = 2,000lbs.

Note: 1 short ton = 0.91 metric tonne.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. International Trade and Freight Transportation Trends, (Washington, DC: 2003), table 7, available at Exit Linkwww.bts.gov.