The amount of cargoes by cargo vessels has increased tremendously during the last decade due to the great growth of korea economy. But in spite of this trend, there is rarely the substantial analyzed on the operational status of coastal shipping. In this paper, the characteristics of seaborne cargo and traffic flow of coastal shipping surveyed in detail through the statistical and the origintain and destination (O.D) analysis. Also, the basic ship's tonnage of coastal shipping representing the minimum tonnage which is capable of carrying the given seaborne cargo is suggested through the computer simulation using the data of 1985 year. The results are as follows; 1) the about 80% of total coastal traffic volume is going in/out to the port of Incheon, Busan, Pohang, Samil, Bukpyung, Mukho, Samchuk, and Jeju. 2) The main cargo items such as oil, iron material, cement, anthracite grain, fertilizer, other ore are reached to the about 70% of total amount of coastal trade. 3) ship's tonnage going in/out to the port of Bukpyiung, Busan, Pohang is increasing linearly year by year, and the amount of oil, iron material, cement, anthracite, grain, fertilizer, other ore are also increasing in linear pattern. 4) As a result of simulation, the optimum (basic) ship's tonnage.