NAICS 488310 Quarterly Industry Report
Port and Harbor Operations
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 488310Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This NAICS 488310 industry profile uses Census Bureau[5] establishment data, Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] employment and wage figures for support activities in water transportation, and SBA[7] size standard thresholds for port and harbor operations. Fair Market Value updates this report quarterly, incorporating new data on port throughput volumes and infrastructure investment trends. Our research team monitors federal navigation channel maintenance funding and trade flow data to help valuation professionals benchmark NAICS 488310 businesses accurately.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the port and harbor operations industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Port and Harbor Operations (NAICS 488310) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in operating ports, harbors, docking and pier facilities, or canals. These entities manage the physical infrastructure that enables waterborne commerce, providing vessel berthing, docking services, and terminal access to shipping lines, barge operators, and recreational marine traffic. Port authorities and private terminal operators form the core of this industry.
Approximately 267 enterprises operate in this sector, managing over 3,700 marine terminals and 1,400 intermodal connections across the United States. Census Bureau data[5] confirms that U.S. port operations handle roughly 99 percent of overseas trade by volume, making this industry a critical node in global supply chains. Revenue streams include dockage fees, wharfage charges, terminal leases, pilotage coordination, and anchorage services. Major port complexes such as Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, and Houston generate billions in annual throughput.
Ownership structures vary widely. Public port authorities governed by state or local commissions operate alongside privately held terminal companies and joint ventures. Capital intensity is extreme; deepwater berths, container cranes, and channel maintenance require sustained investment. Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] occupational data shows workers in this field include harbor masters, dock supervisors, crane operators, and marine terminal managers. Stevedoring and cargo handling services are classified separately under NAICS 488320.
What's Included in This Industry
- Operating and managing port and harbor terminal facilities
- Providing docking and berthing services for commercial and recreational vessels
- Managing pier and wharf facilities for cargo and passenger vessel access
- Operating inland waterway canal lock and dam systems
- Collecting dockage, wharfage, and anchorage fees from vessel operators
- Coordinating vessel traffic management within harbor boundaries
- Leasing terminal space to shipping lines and logistics operators
- Maintaining channel depth through dredging coordination and sediment management
- Providing shore-side utility connections for berthed vessels
- Operating ferry terminals and passenger embarkation facilities
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Support Activities for Transportation | 488 |
| Industry Group | Support Activities for Water Transportation | 4883 |
| NAICS Industry | Port and Harbor Operations | 48831 |
| National Industry | Port and Harbor Operations | 488310 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 488320 | Marine Cargo Handling | Marine cargo handling and stevedoring firms that perform loading and unloading operations at port terminals but do not operate the port facilities themselves |
| 488330 | Navigational Services to Shipping | Navigational services to shipping including pilotage and tugboat operations that guide vessels into and out of harbors managed by port operators |
| 488390 | Other Support Activities for Water Transportation | Other support activities for water transportation covering marine salvage, vessel cleaning, and ancillary maritime services performed within port boundaries |
| 483111 | Deep Sea Freight Transportation | Deep sea freight transportation carriers that use port facilities for vessel berthing, cargo transfer, and crew changes during international voyages |
| 483113 | Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation | Coastal and Great Lakes freight transportation lines that rely on harbor facilities for domestic waterborne cargo movements between U.S. ports |
| 237990 | Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | Heavy civil construction contractors that build and maintain port infrastructure including wharves, piers, breakwaters, and dredging operations for channel depth |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 14.1% | 47 |
| 2 | Texas | 9.3% | 31 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 8.7% | 29 |
| 4 | California | 7.8% | 26 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 6.0% | 20 |
| 6 | Virginia | 5.7% | 19 |
| 7 | Maryland | 5.1% | 17 |
| 8 | Illinois | 4.5% | 15 |
| 9 | New York | 4.5% | 15 |
| 10 | Washington | 3.9% | 13 |
% Of Establishments
0%
14%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
24
Total SBA Loans
$14.4M
Total Loan Volume
$599K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.58%
Average Interest Rate
88
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Under SBA size standards[7], NAICS 488310 businesses qualify as small with average annual receipts up to $47 million. Port and harbor operators can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for terminal equipment, facility improvements, and working capital. The 504 loan program[9] supports acquisition of waterfront real estate, dock construction, and heavy equipment purchases. Private marina operators and small terminal companies are the most common SBA borrowers in this sector, as large public port authorities typically access municipal bond markets instead.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OakStar Bank | 8 | $9.9M | $1.2M |
| 2 | Live Oak Banking Company | 8 | $4.1M | $515K |
| 3 | Banco Popular de Puerto Rico | 8 | $400K | $50K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 488310?
Port authorities, private terminal operators, harbor management companies, marina operators, and canal lock operators all fall under NAICS 488310. These businesses operate the physical infrastructure, including docks, piers, wharves, and waterway locks, rather than handling cargo directly. Stevedoring services are classified separately under NAICS 488320[10].
How is NAICS 488310 structured within the transportation sector?
NAICS 488310 is a six-digit code within Subsector 488 (Support Activities for Transportation), specifically under Industry Group 4883 (Support Activities for Water Transportation). It is distinguished from marine cargo handling (488320), navigational services (488330), and other water transport support (488390) by its focus on facility operations rather than vessel services or cargo handling.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 488310?
The SBA size standard[7] for NAICS 488310 is $47 million in average annual receipts over the prior five fiscal years. This revenue-based threshold determines small business eligibility for federal contracting set-asides and SBA lending programs.
What NAICS codes are most closely related to 488310?
Closely related codes include 488320 (Marine Cargo Handling), 488330 (Navigational Services to Shipping), 488390 (Other Support Activities for Water Transportation), 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation), and 483113 (Coastal Freight Transportation). Each addresses a different function within the maritime supply chain, from vessel operations to shore-side services.
What industries have the strongest business relationships with port operations?
Deep sea freight carriers (483111) and coastal shipping lines (483113) are the primary revenue sources, paying dockage and wharfage fees. Marine cargo handlers (488320) operate within port facilities as tenants. Warehousing operators (493110) provide near-port storage. Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] data covers the combined employment footprint of these interconnected water transportation support industries.
What activities are included in NAICS 488310?
Included activities cover operating port and harbor terminals, providing docking and berthing services, managing piers and wharves, operating canal locks, collecting port fees, coordinating vessel traffic, and leasing terminal space. Cargo handling (loading/unloading) is excluded per Census Bureau classification[11] and falls under NAICS 488320.
Are NAICS 488310 businesses eligible for SBA loans?
Private port and harbor operators meeting the $47 million size standard can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for equipment and working capital, and 504 loans[9] for waterfront real estate and dock construction. Public port authorities typically use municipal bonds rather than SBA financing, so SBA programs are most relevant for private marina operators and smaller terminal companies.
Where are NAICS 488310 businesses geographically concentrated?
Port operations concentrate along the U.S. coastline and major inland waterways. Top complexes include Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, and the ports of Virginia. Gulf Coast and Pacific Coast ports handle the majority of container and bulk cargo volumes, with Census Bureau[5] data confirming these regions employ the largest share of port workers.
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. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data data.census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]NAICS 488320 census.gov
- [11]Census Bureau classification census.gov
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