NAICS 483114 Quarterly Industry Report
Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 483114Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This NAICS 483114 industry report compiles data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4] transportation surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics[5] employment statistics for water transportation workers, and Small Business Administration[6] size standard tables. Fair Market Value researchers supplement these federal sources with Federal Transit Administration ferry data and state department of transportation ridership statistics to produce quarterly updates. Each NAICS 483114 report revision captures ridership volumes, route performance trends, and competitive dynamics across the coastal and Great Lakes passenger transportation sector.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the coastal and great lakes passenger transportation industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (NAICS 483114) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing water transportation of passengers in coastal waters, on the Great Lakes System, or between ports of the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. island territories. Ferry operators, coastal passenger vessel companies, and domestic cruise lines serving ports within U.S. waters all fall within this classification. Washington State Ferries, the Staten Island Ferry, and numerous private ferry operators connecting islands, peninsulas, and coastal communities to mainland destinations represent major industry participants.
The U.S. Census Bureau[4] classifies coastal and Great Lakes passenger service separately from deep sea international passenger transportation (483112) that carries travelers to foreign ports and from scenic sightseeing boat tours (487210) that operate primarily for recreational viewing. Vehicle ferries carrying both passengers and automobiles serve as critical transportation links for communities without bridge or tunnel connections. Walk-on passenger ferries provide commuter service across harbors and between waterfront destinations.
Ferry ridership patterns follow commuter schedules and seasonal tourism cycles. Urban ferry systems operate peak-hour service connecting employment centers with residential waterfront neighborhoods. Seasonal routes serving resort islands and beach communities experience dramatic ridership swings between summer peaks and winter lows. Capital costs for vessel acquisition and terminal construction require long planning horizons, and many ferry operations receive public subsidies or operate under government contracts that provide revenue stability. Coast Guard vessel inspection and manning requirements govern safety standards and crew certification for all passenger vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire in U.S. waters.
What's Included in This Industry
- Operating vehicle and passenger ferry service between coastal mainland and island destinations
- Providing urban commuter ferry service across harbors and between waterfront neighborhoods
- Running seasonal passenger ferry routes to resort islands and beach communities
- Operating Great Lakes passenger ferry service connecting ports across the lakes
- Providing walk-on passenger ferry service between waterfront destinations
- Operating domestic cruise service between U.S. coastal ports without visiting foreign destinations
- Running high-speed catamaran passenger ferry service on coastal commuter routes
- Providing water taxi and on-demand passenger boat service in coastal harbors
- Operating government-contracted ferry service for communities dependent on water transportation
- Running passenger and vehicle ferry service connecting peninsulas to mainland road networks
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Water Transportation | 483 |
| Industry Group | Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | 4831 |
| NAICS Industry | Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | 48311 |
| National Industry | Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation | 483114 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 483112 | Deep Sea Passenger Transportation | Deep sea passenger carriers operate international cruise voyages, while coastal operators serve domestic port pairs without crossing into foreign waters |
| 483113 | Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation | Coastal freight carriers share port infrastructure and navigational channels with passenger ferry operations in many harbor and coastal settings |
| 487210 | Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water | Scenic and sightseeing boat tours provide recreational water excursions that differ from the transportation-focused service of commuter and route ferries |
| 488310 | Port and Harbor Operations | Port and harbor operations manage the ferry terminals, docking facilities, and passenger processing areas that coastal passenger vessels depend on |
| 336611 | Ship Building and Repairing | Ship building facilities construct new ferries, passenger catamarans, and water taxis for coastal and Great Lakes passenger service operators |
| 488330 | Navigational Services to Shipping | Navigational services provide harbor piloting and vessel assist that support safe ferry operations in busy port channels and narrow waterways |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 31.7% | 53 |
| 2 | Alaska | 10.2% | 17 |
| 3 | Washington | 7.8% | 13 |
| 4 | Texas | 7.2% | 12 |
| 5 | New York | 7.2% | 12 |
| 6 | Michigan | 6.6% | 11 |
| 7 | California | 6.0% | 10 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 3.6% | 6 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 3.6% | 6 |
| 10 | Louisiana | 3.6% | 6 |
% Of Establishments
0%
32%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What businesses are classified under NAICS 483114?
NAICS 483114 covers ferry operators, coastal passenger vessel companies, and domestic cruise lines serving U.S. ports without visiting foreign destinations. Water taxis and commuter ferry services also qualify. The U.S. Census Bureau[4] provides the official classification.
How is NAICS 483114 different from cruise lines?
Coastal passenger carriers (483114) serve domestic routes between U.S. ports, while deep sea cruise lines (483112) visit foreign ports. The Census Bureau[10] classifies them based on whether voyages include international port calls.
What is the SBA size standard for ferry operators?
The SBA sets the size standard at 550 employees for NAICS 483114. Many private ferry operators fall below this threshold. Current standards appear in the SBA table of size standards[6].
Which NAICS codes relate most closely to 483114?
Key related codes include 483112 for deep sea cruise lines, 487210 for sightseeing boats, 488310 for port operations, 336611 for shipbuilding, and 483113 for coastal freight. Each connects to the domestic passenger water transportation network.
What industries interact with coastal passenger carriers?
Shipyards (336611) build ferries, port authorities (488310) operate terminals, sightseeing operators (487210) serve overlapping markets, and coastal freight carriers (483113) share waterway infrastructure. State and local transit authorities also fund and contract ferry services.
What activities does NAICS 483114 include?
Activities cover vehicle and passenger ferry service, commuter water transit, seasonal island ferry routes, Great Lakes passenger service, water taxi operations, and domestic-only cruise voyages. The Census definition[4] covers the full scope.
Can ferry operators get SBA loans?
Passenger carriers with fewer than 550 employees qualify for SBA 7(a) loans covering vessel purchases and working capital. The 504 program funds terminal and dock investments. Details are at the SBA funding programs page[11].
Where are coastal passenger services concentrated?
Ferry operations concentrate in the Pacific Northwest, New England, New York harbor, the San Francisco Bay area, and island communities in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Southeast. Puget Sound, the Long Island Sound, and the Chesapeake Bay support dense networks. Great Lakes passenger service operates primarily between Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario during ice-free months.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 program sba.gov
- [10]Census Bureau census.gov
- [11]SBA funding programs page sba.gov
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