Port

A port is a special place where ships load and unload things like goods and people. These places usually have areas called wharves where ships can stop and drop off or pick up cargo and passengers. Ports are often found on coastlines near the sea, but some are far inland, like Hamburg, Manchester, and Duluth. These inland ports connect to the sea through rivers or canals.

Ports play a huge role in the world's economy. About 70% of all traded goods pass through ports. Because of this, many port cities have lots of people and become important centers for work and services. Today, the biggest and busiest ports are in Asia, with places like Singapore, Shanghai, and Ningbo-Zhoushan leading the way. In Europe, the busiest place for passengers is the Port of Helsinki in Finland.

However, ports can also affect the environment around them. Activities like digging up the bottom of waterways or spills can hurt water quality. Climate change also poses challenges for ports, as rising sea levels and flooding can damage important structures. To protect both the environment and their operations, many ports around the world are working on better ways to manage coastlines and prepare for future changes.

Historical ports

Main article: Historical ports

Wherever ancient civilizations traded by sea, they built ports. One of the oldest known man-made harbors is at Wadi al-Jarf on the Red Sea. Ancient anchors have been found there, along with harbor structures.

Other important ancient ports include Guangzhou in Qin dynasty China and Canopus, Egypt's main port for Greek trade before Alexandria was built. In Ancient Greece, Piraeus, the port of Athens, was home to the fleet that fought in the Battle of Salamis against the Persians in 480 BCE. In ancient India, Lothal was a major city of the Indus valley civilisation, located in the Bhal region of modern Gujarāt. Ostia Antica was the port of ancient Rome. Portus was built later to help Ostia. In Japan, during the Edo period, Dejima was the only port where Europeans could trade, and only one Dutch ship was allowed each year. Osaka was Japan's biggest port for rice trade.

Ostia Antica is an ancient Roman city near where the Tiber meets the sea, now about 3 km inland. It is a large archaeological site with well-preserved buildings, beautiful wall paintings, and mosaics. The city declined after ancient times, and the harbor silted up. Sand helped protect the site, preserving it for us to learn about ancient Roman life.

Many ancient ports are no longer used today. Some, like Rye, East Sussex, used to be close to the sea but are now far inland because the coastline changed. Other ports, like Ravenspurn and Dunwich, have disappeared because of erosion along the coast.

The maritime republics were Italian port cities that were very important for trade and sea travel. They included Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa, and Venice. These cities built fleets of ships and created trade networks across the Mediterranean Sea. They helped connect Europe, Asia, and Africa after contacts had been lost during earlier times. Their explorers included famous travelers like Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus.

Over time, these cities rose and fell in importance. Amalfi and Gaeta were first, then Venice and Genoa grew powerful. Pisa was important in the 1300s, and later Ragusa and Ancona also became strong. By the 1600s, only Venice, Genoa, and Ragusa remained important, but they too began to decline after that.

Modern ports

Modern ports are busy places where ships load and unload goods and people. They are not just simple harbours anymore but are connected to many ways of moving things, like roads, railways, and even airports. Good ports are easy for ships to reach and protect them from rough weather.

Some ports are special for certain jobs. Some are best for passenger ships, while others handle big containers or help armies. Not all ports are the same—some smaller places still need small boats to move goods and people to land. Ports can grow or shrink depending on what the world needs. For example, some famous ports changed what they do when air travel grew. In Europe, many ports are owned by the government or the city. Even with new ship technology, big ships often need help from special workers and boats to move safely in crowded areas. Ports that welcome ships from other countries also have places to check goods carefully.

Types

The words "port" and "seaport" describe places where ships that travel the ocean stop. A river port is used for ships that travel on rivers, like barges.

Seaport

A seaport is a port found on the shore of a sea or ocean. There are two main kinds:

• Commercial seaports include "cruise ports" and "cargo ports". Cruise ports are places where people get on and off cruise ships. Cargo ports load and unload many things like goods and supplies.
• Non-commercial seaports are marinas and fishing ports.

Cargo port

Cargo ports are different from cruise ports because they move many kinds of goods. Some cargo ports move only one type of item, like liquids or cars, while others move many types.

Ports that move many items in boxes or containers are called container ports.

Cruise port

A cruise home port is where people get on or off a cruise ship. It is also where the ship gets supplies like water, food, and fuel before the trip begins. These ports are busy when ships arrive or leave.

Port of call

A port of call is a stop along a ship's trip. At these stops, ships may load or unload supplies or goods.

Fishing port

A fishing port is a place where fish are brought to be sold. These ports depend on having fish available.

Marina

A marina is a place for boats to dock for fun and relaxation.

Warm-water port

A warm-water port is a port where the water does not freeze in winter. This is important in places with cold winters, because it lets ships come and go all year. Examples include Narvik in Norway and Dalian in China.

Inland port

Main articles: Inland port and Dry port

An inland port is a port far from the ocean, but connected by a river, lake, or canal. Ships can travel from the ocean to these ports to load and unload goods. One example is the St. Lawrence Seaway, which lets ships reach cities like Toronto.

Smart port

Main article: Smart port

A smart port uses new technologies like the Internet of Things to work better and faster. These ports use computers and software to help move goods more smoothly. Many ports around the world are becoming smarter each year.

Environmental issues

Further information: Environmental impact of shipping

Ports can create environmental problems, such as dirty water from ships and effects from bigger issues like climate change.

Dredging

Main article: Dredging

Each year, a huge amount of sand and mud is moved to keep waterways open for ships. This can disturb animals and plants living in the water and bring up harmful substances from the ground.

Invasive species

Invasive species—harmful plants or animals from other places—are often carried in the water inside ships or stuck to their sides. These can harm local sea life in many ways, either directly by eating them or indirectly by bringing diseases.

Air pollution

Ports can make the air around them dirtier because of smoke from ships and vehicles. This can affect the health of people living nearby.

Water quality

Water near ports is often less clean because of pollution from ships and other activities, like trash ending up in the ocean.

Spills, pollution and contamination

Leaks from ships, like oil or chemicals, can pollute the water and harm sea life.

Climate change and sea level rise

Ports are often built in low areas and can be damaged by rising sea levels, storms, and erosion. This puts their buildings and equipment at risk.

Reducing impact

There are many efforts to help ports protect the environment. Programs like the World Port Sustainability Program focus on goals for a greener future, including projects such as SIMPYC, the World Ports Climate Initiative, the African Green Port Initiative, EcoPorts and Green Marine.

World's major ports

Main article: Lists of ports

Ports are special places where ships load and unload goods and people. They are usually found near the sea but can also be far inland, connected to the sea by rivers or canals.

Africa

The biggest port in Africa is Tangier Med, which started operating in 2007. The busiest port in Africa is Port Said in Egypt.

Asia

See also: List of East Asian ports and List of ports and harbours of the Indian Ocean

The largest port in the world is Shanghai. It became the busiest port for cargo and containers in 2009 and 2010. Other big ports in Asia include Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

Europe

See also: List of busiest ports in Europe

The biggest port in Europe is the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Other important ports are the Port of Antwerp in Belgium and the Port of Hamburg in Germany.

North America

See also: List of North American ports and Ports of the United States

Large ports in North America include the Port of South Louisiana, Houston, Port of New York/New Jersey, and Los Angeles in the U.S., as well as Manzanillo in Mexico and Vancouver in Canada. The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Oceania

The largest port in Oceania is the Port of Melbourne.

South America

The biggest ports in South America are the Port of Santos in Brazil, Cartagena in Colombia, Callao in Peru, Guayaquil in Ecuador, and the Port of Buenos Aires in Argentina.