Although it is primarily employed for inland water transport by the USA and Canada, it also plays an increasing part in the sea-borne trade between the North American centre of maritime trade and other maritime trading centres.
Nangona ibisetyenziswa kwasekuqaleni ukwenzela isithuthi samanzi yi USA ne Canada idlala indima enyukayo kuthengiso lwempahla etsalwa elwandle phakathi kombidi womntla Melika wothengiso lwaselwandle neminye imibindi yothengiso lwaselwandle.