Port Definition for the Freight Industry presented by Apparel Search |
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Ports Directory Shipping Directory International Trade Terms Logistics |
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A port
is a facility
at the edge
of an
ocean,
river,
or
lake
for receiving
ships
and transferring
cargo
and
persons
to them.
Ports have
specially-designed
equipment
to help
in the loading
and unloading
of these
vessels. Cranes and refrigerated storage may be provided by private
interests or public bodies. Often, canneries or other processing facilities
will be located very close by. Ports tend to be divided into container
terminals.
The term seaport is used for ports that handle ocean-going vessels, and river port is used for facilities that handle river traffic. Sometimes a port on a lake or river also has access to the ocean, and is then referred to as an inland port. A fishing port is a type of port or harbor facility particularly suitable for landing and distributing fish. A dry port is a term sometimes used to describe a yard used to place containers or conventional bulk cargo, usually connected to a seaport by rail or road. While the term airport is derived from port, such places are never referred to as ports, except when international airports (as well as some land border crossings) are referred to as ports of entry. The presence of deep water in channels or berths, the provision of protection from the wind, waves and storm surges and access to intermodal transportation such as trains or trucks are critical to the functioning of seaports and river ports. Cargo containers allow for efficient transport and distribution as each product, box and bulk cargo do not need to be loaded individually at each transportation point, making the loading and unloading process more efficient. Cargo can be sealed at point of origin, transported via intermodal transport, before being stacked and loaded on container ships. These are then ultimately opened at final point of resale or destination. This is a vital part of modern retailing Just in Time Delivery strategies.
Seaports and river ports are often equipped with large cranes for the
loading and unloading of containers from container ships. These are usually
operated by stevedores. Pilots and tugboats are also used to safely maneuver
the ships in tight quarters.
A Few Examples of Major portsPort of Busan
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Clothing Industry |
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