运用比较研究方法，借鉴资源禀赋理论，综述了目前水路运输比较优势研究的基本方法和主要成果，梳理了研究水路运输比较优势的主要指标，提出了水路运输比较优势评价指标体系，并对这些评价指标按技术性能、经济特征、对自然地理环境的要求和影响等进行了重新分类，对每一个指标进行分析和评述。认为水路运输投资省、占地少、运能大、运价低、能耗低、污染小，安全可靠、提高水资源综合利用率等方面的比较优势仍十分明显。从运输方式的不可替代性、运输方式的可比性、降低社会成本、发展多式联运等四个方面提出了针对性的建议。认为发展水路运输应根据各地、各行业的资源禀赋条件、区位优势条件加以取舍，扬长避短，才能取得更大的经济效益和社会效益。

By using comparative research methods and referring to the resource endowment theory, the basic methods and main achievements of the current research on the comparative advantages of waterway transport were summarized, the main indexes for studying the comparative advantages of waterway transport were sorted out, and the evaluation index system for the comparative advantage of waterway transport was put forward. These evaluation indexes were reclassified according to technical performance, economic characteristics, requirements and influences on the natural geographical environment and so on, and each index was analyzed and reviewed. It was still obvious that waterway transport had the comparative advantages of less investment, less land occupation, larger transport capacity, lower transport price, lower energy consumption, lower pollution, safety and reliability, and improvement of comprehensive utilization of water resources. Some suggestions were put forward from four aspects, such as the irreplaceability of transport mode, the comparability of transport modes, the reduction of social costs and the development of multimodal transport. It is believed that the development of waterway transport should be based on the resources endowment condition and location advantage condition of different regions and industries, so that much more economic benefits and social benefits can be achieved.