Harbours, waterways and related facilities

cpc code 53232 covers the industry responsible for the development and maintenance of harbours, waterways, and related facilities. These critical infrastructure assets play a vital role in global trade and transportation, enabling the efficient movement of goods, people, and resources across maritime routes. This industry is a key component of the broader logistics and supply chain ecosystem, supporting the import and export activities that drive economic growth and international commerce.

The main production techniques used in this industry involve the construction, dredging, and upkeep of harbours, ports, canals, and other waterway infrastructure. This includes the design and engineering of breakwaters, jetties, quays, and other structures to facilitate the safe berthing and loading/unloading of vessels. Dredging operations are also a crucial aspect, ensuring that waterways remain navigable by removing accumulated sediment and debris. Ongoing maintenance and repair work are necessary to keep these facilities operational and compliant with safety and environmental regulations.

The key inputs required for this industry include heavy construction equipment such as dredgers, cranes, and excavators, as well as specialized marine engineering expertise. Raw materials like concrete, steel, and other building supplies are also essential for the construction and repair of harbour facilities. Additionally, this industry relies on a skilled workforce of civil engineers, project managers, and maritime operations personnel to plan, execute, and oversee the various projects and maintenance activities.

The primary outputs of this industry are the harbours, ports, canals, and other waterway infrastructure that facilitate the movement of goods and people across maritime routes. These facilities are essential for the import and export activities described in 53211 Cargo handling, 53212 Storage and warehousing, and 53213 Other transportation support activities. The efficient operation of these waterway assets also supports the broader economic activities captured in codes such as 49100 Passenger rail transport, interurban, 49200 Freight rail transport, and 49300 Land transport and transport via pipelines n.e.c..