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What Are Different Types of Ports For Ships?

By Soumyajit Dasgupta | In: Marine Ports | Last Updated on July 21, 2016
A port can be defined as a harbor or an area that is able to provide shelter to numerous boats and
vessels, and can also allow constant or periodic transaction of shipment. The port can be a natural
establishment or an artificial construction, which provides a place for the loading and unloading of
cargo. Ports can be for large sea going ships and also for inland waterways such as rivers and lakes.
The depth of the ports play a vital role in allowing various types of ships to enter and dock at the
port.
These days most of the ports (especially seaports) are well-equipped with specialized fixtures such
as forklifts and gantry cranes to facilitate regular dealings of cargo. Ports can of great significance to
a nation, as it promotes the commercial welfare and the trade scenario. Ports can also be of military
importance, as they are used to keep the warships before moving out to the battle scene.

Credits: BMT Press Office

Considering a variety of factors such as location, depth, and ship sizes, ports are classified into
various types. Some of the main types are as follows:
Sea Ports
Sea ports are the most common types of ports around the world which are used for commercial
shipping activities These ports are built on a sea location and enable the accommodation of both
small and large vessels. Numerous seaports are situated along the coastline and actively handle the
ongoing cargo transactions. A seaport can be further categorized as cargo port or cruise port. Some
of the oldest seaports are still used for recreational and fishing purpose.
Special warehouses are also constructed to store the shipment, and to maintain the regular
stocking. Added facilities such as hotels, restaurants, port reception facilities, restrooms and
eateries can also be made available to rouse the interest of the people visiting the port. Seaports
form some of the biggest and busiest ports in the world.
Inland Ports
Inland ports are ports built on comparatively smaller water bodies such as rivers or lakes. They can
either be for cargo purpose or for passengers or for both. Some of these inland ports can have
access to the sea with the help of a canal system. As such ports are built on inland waterways they
usually behave like normal seaports but are not able to allow deep draft ship traffic. Some of the
inland ports can be also be specifically made for recreational purpose allowing only small sized
vessels or can be used just for ferrying people and fishing activities.
Inland ports are known for their quality to function in a smooth manner, unlike the clogged sea
ports.These ports can also sometimes be referred to as dry ports, and are similar to active
intermodal hubs. The inland port at Montreal is the biggest of its kind.
Fishing Ports
Fishing ports mainly donates to the commercial sphere as it participates in fishing. The fishing
activities can also be treated as a mode of recreation. The existence of a fishing port entirely relies
upon the availability of fishes in that region of the ocean. A fishing port can be an inland port or a
seaport.
Warm Water Ports
The biggest advantage where a warm water port is concerned, is that the water does not freeze
during the frosty winters. Therefore, it is free to operate all year round without a temporary
shutdown during the freezing time. Such ports help to a great extent to boost the economy of the
nation.
A few notable examples may include Ukraines Odessa, Russias Vostochny Port and Murmansk
Port, Japans Kushiro and Alaskas Valdez.
Dry Ports
Dry ports are defined as inland terminals that can be interconnected with a seaport via road or rail
transportation facilities, and they usually act as centers of multimodal logistics. A dry port proves
useful in the trade of importing and exporting cargo and can help to lessen the inevitable
congestion at a nearby seaport. Its functions are quite similar to that of a seaport, with the only
difference that is not situated near the coastline.
A dry port consists of all the necessary machinery to handle the constant clearance of shipment, like
proper cargo-instrumentations, rail sidings, storehouses, and even container yards.
Cruise Home Ports
This type of port specializes in dealing with the activities of a cruise ships, and provide the platform
for the passengers to enter and disembark the cruises at the beginning and the end of the journeys,
respectively. A cruise home port is also capable of providing the essential provisions required for a
luxurious cruise voyage. The supplying may vary from fuel resources to fresh drinking water,
wines, foods etc.
A typical cruise home port is always congested and is buzzing with people boarding or leaving the
cruises. Some of the popular cruise home ports include Floridas Port of Miami and Port Everglades,
and Puerto Ricos Port of San Juan.
Similarly, Port of Call is a type of port which is paid a brief visit by a ship on voyage. It is mainly
required for necessary cargo discharge, or for carrying out essential repair works. Many passengers
can also leave the vessel at a port of call.
As mentioned earlier, the ships can also replenish their fuel supplies or food storage. It serves as a
stopover port, in between the home ports of a particular vessel.
Cargo Ports
As the name suggests, these ports act according to the cargo it manages and the amenities available
differ from one port to the other. These ports are also known as bulk ports or break bulk ports.
The cargo ports involve many mechanical techniques to load or unload the shipment. A cargo port
may be designed to deal with single, as well as multiple types of products. Items such as liquid fuels,
chemicals, food grains, timber, machines and motorcars, are transported to various places,
employing the adeptness of a cargo port. Deep water ports are sometimes used along with those
cargo ports which do not have sufficient depth to allow big ships.
A cargo port which engages in the transfer of containerized goods is referred to as a container port.
Numerous operating terminals branch out from individual bulk ports, and are assigned to maintain
the various kinds of ship ladings. Stevedores are the companies which act as terminal operators and
preside over the actions of the diverse operating terminals.
Difference Between Ports and Terminals
Ports are strategic geographical locations which are situated at the edge of ocean, seas, rivers, or
lakes. These locations are then developed to inculcate facilities for loading and unloading of cargo
ships. The facilities provided for a port depends on the purpose for which the port is being used.
Whereas a terminal is referred to as the set of facilities at a port where loading and unloading of
cargo/container takes place. Terminals are named on the basis of type of cargo that can be handled
by them. Some of the most common types of terminals are container terminal, bulk cargo terminal,
LNG terminal etc.