Industries in the Support Activities for Transportation subsector provide services which support transportation. These services may be provided to transportation carrier establishments or to the general public. This subsector includes a wide array of establishments, including air traffic control services, marine cargo handling, and motor vehicle towing.
The Support Activities for Transportation subsector includes services to transportation but is separated by type of mode serviced. The Support Activities for Rail Transportation industry includes services to the rail industry (e.g., railroad switching and terminal establishments).
Ship repair and maintenance not done in a shipyard are included in Other Support Activities for Water Transportation. An example would be floating drydock services in a harbor.
Excluded from this subsector are establishments primarily engaged in providing factory conversion and overhaul of transportation equipment, which are classified in Subsector 336, Transportation Equipment Manufacturing. Also, establishments primarily engaged in providing rental and leasing of transportation equipment without operator are classified in Subsector 532, Rental and Leasing Services.
4881 Support Activities for Air Transportation
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services to the air
transportation industry. These services include airport operation, servicing, repairing (except
factory conversion and overhaul of aircraft), maintaining and storing aircraft, and ferrying
aircraft.
48811 Airport Operations
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) operating international,
national, or civil airports or public flying fields or (2) supporting airport operations (except
special food services contractors), such as rental of hangar space, air traffic control services,
baggage handling services, and cargo handling services.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Providing factory conversion, overhaul, and rebuilding of aircraft - classified in Industry 33641, Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing;
Wholesaling fuel at airports - classified in Industry 424720, Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals);
Providing airport janitorial services - classified in Industry 561720, Janitorial Services; and
Providing food services at airports on a contractual arrangement (i.e., food service contractors) - classified in Industry 722310, Food Service Contractors.
488111 Air Traffic Control
488119 Other Airport Operations
48819 Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
See industry description for 488190 below.
488190 Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized services for
air transportation (except air traffic control and other airport operations).
Learn about Aircraft Weighing Systems as a business.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Wholesaling fuel at airports - classified in Industry 424720, Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals);
Providing aircraft janitorial services - classified in Industry 561720, Janitorial Services;
Providing air traffic control services - classified in U.S. Industry 488111, Air Traffic Control;
Providing airport operations (except air traffic control) - classified in U.S. Industry 488119, Other Airport Operations;
Providing factory conversion, overhaul, and rebuilding of aircraft - classified in Industry 33641, Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing; and
Providing food services to airlines on a contractual arrangement - classified in Industry 722310, Food Service Contractors.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Aircraft ferrying services |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Aircraft inspection services |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Aircraft maintenance and repair services (except factory conversion, factory over |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Aircraft testing services |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Fueling aircraft on a contract or fee basis |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Independent pilot, air (except owner-operators) |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Inspection services, aircraft |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Maintenance and repair services, aircraft (except factory conversion, factory ove |
| 488190 | 488190 | 4581 | Testing services, aircraft |
4882 Support Activities for Rail Transportation
48821 Support Activities for Rail Transportation
See industry description for 488210 below.
488210 Support Activities for Rail Transportation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized services for
railroad transportation including servicing, routine repairing (except factory conversion,
overhaul or rebuilding of rolling stock), and maintaining rail cars; loading and unloading rail
cars; and operating independent terminals.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Providing railroad car rental - classified in U.S. Industry 532411, Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing;
Factory conversion, overhaul, or rebuilding of railroad rolling stock - classified in Industry 336510, Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing;
Providing rail car janitorial services - classified in Industry 561720, Janitorial Services; and
Providing dredging services - classified in Industry 237990, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488210 | 488210 | 4741 | Freight car cleaning services |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4741 | Grain leveling and trimming in railroad cars |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4789 | Loading and unloading services at rail terminals |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4789 | Locomotive and rail car repair (except factory conversion, factory overhaul, fact |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4789 | Maintenance of rights-of-way and structures, railway |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4013 | Railroad switching services |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4013 | Railroad terminals, independent operation |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4013 | Railway terminals, independent operation |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4789 | Shunting trailers in rail terminals |
| 488210 | 488210 | 4013 | Switching services, railroad |
4883 Support Activities for Water Transportation
48831 Port and Harbor Operations
See industry description for 488310 below.
488310 Port and Harbor Operations
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating ports, harbors (including
docking and pier facilities), or canals.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Providing stevedoring and other marine cargo handling services - classified in Industry 488320, Marine Cargo Handling;
Providing navigational services to shipping - classified in Industry 488330, Navigational Services to Shipping; and
Operating docking and/or storage facilities and commonly known as marinas - classified in Industry 713930, Marinas.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488310 | 488310 | 4499 | Canal maintenance services (except dredging) |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4499 | Canal operation |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4491 | Docking facility operations |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4491 | Harbor maintenance services (except dredging) |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4491 | Harbor operation |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4499 | Lighthouse operation |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4491 | Maintenance services, waterfront terminal (except dredging) |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4491 | Port facility operation |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4499 | Seaway operation |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4491 | Waterfront terminal operation (e.g., docks, piers, wharves) |
| 488310 | 488310 | 4491 | Wharf operation |
48832 Marine Cargo Handling
See industry description for 488320 below.
488320 Marine Cargo Handling
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing stevedoring and other
marine cargo handling services (except warehousing).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Preparing freight for transportation - classified in U.S. Industry 488991, Packing and Crating;
Operating general merchandise, refrigerated, or other warehousing and storage facilities - classified in Subsector 493, Warehousing and Storage; and
Operating docking and pier facilities - classified in Industry 488310, Port and Harbor Operations.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488320 | 488320 | 4491 | Loading and unloading services at ports and harbors |
| 488320 | 488320 | 4491 | Longshoremen services |
| 488320 | 488320 | 4491 | Marine cargo handling services |
| 488320 | 488320 | 4491 | Ship hold cleaning services |
| 488320 | 488320 | 4491 | Stevedoring services |
48833 Navigational Services to Shipping
See industry description for 488330 below.
488330 Navigational Services to Shipping
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing navigational services to
shipping. Marine salvage establishments are included in this industry.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Providing water transportation of barges (except coastal or Great Lakes barge transportation services) - classified in U.S. Industry 483211, Inland Water Freight Transportation; and
Providing coastal and/or Great Lakes barge transportation services - classified in U.S. Industry 483113, Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488330 | 488330 | 4499 | Cargo salvaging, marine |
| 488330 | 488330 | 4492 | Docking and undocking marine vessel services |
| 488330 | 488330 | 4492 | Harbor tugboat services |
| 488330 | 488330 | 4499 | Marine salvaging services |
| 488330 | 488330 | 4499 | Marine vessel traffic reporting services |
| 488330 | 488330 | 4499 | Piloting services, water transportation |
| 488330 | 488330 | 4499 | Radio beacon (i.e., ship navigation) services |
| 488330 | 488330 | 4492 | Tugboat services, harbor operation |
48839 Other Support Activities for Water Transportation
See industry description for 488390 below.
488390 Other Support Activities for Water Transportation
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).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Ship painting - classified in Industry 238320, Painting and Wall Covering Contractors;
Providing ship janitorial services - classified in Industry 561720, Janitorial Services;
Operating port, harbor, or canal facilities - classified in Industry 488310, Port and Harbor Operations;
Providing stevedoring and other marine cargo handling services - classified in Industry 488320, Marine Cargo Handling;
Providing navigational services to shipping - classified in Industry 488330, Navigational Services to Shipping; and
Providing ship overhauling or repairs in a shipyard - classified in U.S. Industry 336611, Ship Building and Repairing.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488390 | 488390 | 4785 | Cargo checkers, marine |
| 488390 | 488390 | 4785 | Cargo surveyors, marine |
| 488390 | 488390 | 3731 | Drydocks, floating (i.e., routine repair and maintenance of ships) |
| 488390 | 488390 | 4785 | Marine cargo checkers and surveyors |
| 488390 | 488390 | 3731 | Ship dismantling at floating drydock |
| 488390 | 488390 | 7699 | Ship scaling services not done at a shipyard |
| 488390 | 488390 | 4785 | Vessel supply services |
4884 Support Activities for Road Transportation
48841 Motor Vehicle Towing
See industry description for 488410 below.
488410 Motor Vehicle Towing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in towing light or heavy motor vehicles,
both local and long distance. These establishments may provide incidental services,such as
storage and emergency road repair services.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Operating gasoline stations - classified in Industry Group 4471, Gasoline Stations;
Providing automotive repair and maintenance - classified in Industry Group 8111, Automotive Repair and Maintenance; and
Both retailing automotive parts and accessories, and repairing automobiles and known as automotive supply stores - classified in Industry 441310, Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488410 | 488410 | 7549 | Emergency road services (i.e., tow service) |
| 488410 | 488410 | 7549 | Motor vehicle towing services |
| 488410 | 488410 | 7549 | Tow truck services |
| 488410 | 488410 | 7549 | Towing services, motor vehicle |
| 488410 | 488410 | 7549 | Wrecker services (i.e., towing services), motor vehicle |
48849 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation
See industry description for 488490 below.
488490 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services (except motor
vehicle towing) to road network users.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Providing automotive repair and maintenance - classified in Industry Group 8111, Automotive Repair and Maintenance;
Providing towing services to motor vehicles - classified in Industry 488410, Motor Vehicle Towing;
Providing a network for busing in combination with providing terminal services - classified in Industry 485210, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation; and
Providing a network for trucking in combination with providing terminal services - classified in Subsector 484, Truck Transportation.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488490 | 488490 | 4785 | Bridge, tunnel, and highway operations |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4173 | Bus terminal operation, independent |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4785 | Cargo surveyors, truck transportation |
| 488490 | 488490 | 7389 | Driving services (e.g., automobile, truck delivery) |
| 488490 | 488490 | Independent truck driver (except owner-operators) | |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4785 | Inspection or weighing services, truck transportation |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4231 | Loading and unloading at truck terminals |
| 488490 | 488490 | 7389 | Pilot car services (i.e., wide load warning services) |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4231 | Shunting of trailers in truck terminals |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4959 | Snow clearing, highways and bridges, road transportation |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4959 | Snow removal, highway |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4959 | Street cleaning service |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4785 | Truck weighing station operation |
| 488490 | 488490 | 4231 | Trucking terminals, independently operated |
4885 Freight Transportation Arrangement
48851 Freight Transportation Arrangement
See industry description for 488510 below.
488510 Freight Transportation Arrangement
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in arranging transportation of freight
between shippers and carriers. These establishments are usually known as freight forwarders,
marine shipping agents, or customs brokers and offer a combination of services spanning
transportation modes.
Cross-References.
Establishments primarily engaged in tariff and freight rate consulting services are classified in U.S. Industry 541614, Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488510 | 488510 | 4731 | Agents, shipping |
| 488510 | 488510 | 4731 | Customs brokers |
| 488510 | 488510 | 4731 | Freight forwarding |
| 488510 | 488510 | 4731 | Marine shipping agency |
| 488510 | 488510 | 4731 | Shipping agents (freight forwarding) |
4889 Other Support Activities for Transportation
48899 Other Support Activities for Transportation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing support activities to
transportation (except for air transportation; rail transportation; water transportation; road
transportation; and freight transportation arrangement).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Providing support activities for air transportation - classified in Industry Group 4881, Support Activities for Air Transportation;
Providing support activities for rail transportation - classified in Industry Group 4882, Support Activities for Rail Transportation;
Providing support activities for water transportation - classified in Industry Group 4883, Support Activities for Water Transportation;
Providing support activities for road transportation - classified in Industry Group 4884, Support Activities for Road Transportation;
Arranging transportation of freight between shippers and carriers - classified in Industry 488510, Freight Transportation Arrangement;
Providing tariff and freight rate consulting services - classified in Industry 54161, Management Consulting Services;
Operating stockyards for fattening livestock - classified in Subsector 112, Animal Production; and
Providing packaging and labeling services - classified in Industry 561910, Packaging and Labeling Services.
488991 Packing and Crating
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in packing, crating, and otherwise
preparing goods for transportation.
Cross-References.
Establishments primarily engaged in providing packaging and labeling services are classified in Industry 561910, Packaging and Labeling Services.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488991 | 488991 | 4783 | Crating goods for shipping |
| 488991 | 488991 | 4783 | Packing and preparing goods for shipping |
| 488991 | 488991 | 4783 | Preparing goods for transportation (i.e., crating, packing) |
488999 All Other Support Activities for Transportation
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing support activities to
transportation (except for air transportation; rail transportation; water transportation; road
transportation; freight transportation arrangement; and packing and crating).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
Operating stockyards for fattening livestock - classified in Subsector 112, Animal Production;
Providing tariff and freight rate consulting services - classified in U.S. Industry 541614, Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services;
Providing packing and crating services for transportation - classified in U.S. Industry 488991, Packing and Crating;
Providing support activities for air transportation - classified in Industry Group 4881, Support Activities for Air Transportation;
Providing support activities for rail transportation - classified in Industry 488210, Support Activities for Rail Transportation;
Providing support activities for water transportation - classified in Industry Group 4883, Support Activities for Water Transportation;
Providing support activities for road transportation - classified in Industry Group 4884, Support Activities for Road Transportation; and
Arranging transportation of freight between shippers and carriers - classified in Industry 488510, Freight Transportation Arrangement.
| 2002 NAICS | 1997 NAICS | 1987 SIC | Corresponding Index Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488999 | 488999 | 4729 | Arrangement of car pools and vanpools |
| 488999 | 488999 | 4729 | Car pools, arrangement of |
| 488999 | 488999 | 4789 | Pipeline terminal facilities, independently operated |
| 488999 | 488999 | 4789 | Stockyards (i.e., not for fattening or selling livestock), transportation |
| 488999 | 488999 | 4729 | Vanpools, arrangement of |
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
