The word port can be used in different areas, in this case we are going to focus on explaining What is a Sea port, its different classifications and types that exist.
What is a Sea Port
The most common meaning of port is associated with the space that, located in a bank or in the coastIt allows vessels to carry out unloading and loading or disembarkation and embarkation operations. If this port is next to the ocean it is classified as sea port..
In this case we are going to focus on Maritime Ports, but we will list the different types of ports that exist:
- Inland Ports
- Seaports
- Fishing Ports
- Hot Water Ports (In frozen places for example Russia.)
- Dry Port (Interior intermodal terminal connected via railway line or highway.)
- Cruise Ports
- Loading Ports
Types of Sea Ports
- Tourist Port: Both for small vessels, from boats, yachts, to arrival cruises or temporary stopovers.
- Port of Loading, Mercantile or Commercial: These ports are used to unload grains, liquids, containers, etc. They are usually taken to terminals to follow the logistics chain. Receives import and export goods, usually from China and other countries, works with INCOTERMS.
- Naval Shipyard:place where ships are built and repaired. These may be yachts, military ships, commercial ships, and/or other types of ships for transporting goods or passengers.
- Military Port:facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches.
Characteristics of the Sea Port of Merchandise:
Commitment to the management of passenger goods (international/national maritime traffic). Receive: coastal and offshore vessels.
- Proprietary port
In this type of ports, the port authority decides on the use of infrastructure and spaces, but all its management is carried out by private companies. The role of the port authority in this case is that of a regulatory body. Normally private companies also develop the heavy superstructure.
- Tool port
In tool ports, the port authority is the entity that manages the infrastructure and heavy superstructure, while private companies can offer commercial services, but always with the means provided by the port authority.
- Operational port
(also called service port or comprehensive port): in this case, the port authority is in charge of everything: it manages the space, owns the infrastructure and carries out commercial exploitation. service port o comprehensive port): en este caso, la autoridad portuaria se encarga de todo: gestiona el espacio, es propietario de las infraestructuras y realiza la explotación comercial.
Difference between ports and terminals
Ports are strategic geographical places that are located on the edge of oceans, seas, rivers or lakes. These locations are then developed to instill facilities for loading and unloading cargo ships. The facilities provided for a port depend on the purpose for which the port is used.
While a terminal is known as the set of facilities in a port where the loading and unloading of cargo/container takes place. The terminals are named based on the type of load they can handle. Some of the most common types of terminals are container terminal, bulk cargo terminal, LNG terminal, etc.
