Port

A port is a location on a coast where ships can moor the boat to be loaded and unloaded and / or to seek protection from stormy weather. It consists primarily of the harbor or the quays and jetties and from. If natural conditions heavily used, it is called a natural harbor. Virtually every port has transport links, for example, the railway network and to the road network. Some ports have a rail connection (or sidings ); others have a private harbor station. The use of the port facilities is a consideration, as a rule, the amount of user fees is regulated in the port tariff. The head of the harbor is called the harbor master or harbor master; the authority subordinate to him to say, for example, Port Authority (see also List of seafaring trade words).

In overseas trading, it is common to combine several ports in a range. Contracts can then be written on the Range ( for example, North Range for major continental European ports on the North Sea; ARAG for the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent).

• 2.1 Worldwide
• 2.2 Europe
• 2.3 Germany

Distinction of ports

Distinction by location

Depending on the location of a port, a distinction is

• Inland ports are on rivers, canals and lakes
• Seaports on the coast to the sea or ocean Deepwater ports are ports with a draft of at least 18m
• Tidewasserhafen - in tidal waters are distinguished open and Dockhäfen: During open ports are affected by water level fluctuations of the tides, are Dockhäfen behind a lock; the water level does not change there to the rhythm of the tides.

Distinction after use

A further distinction between the various port types can be undertaken according to their intended use:

• Trading port for the handling of goods ( shipping ) Oil and chemical products
• General cargo port
• Container port
• Bulk port

• Ferry ports - for car ferries or railroad car ferries, often mixed
• Marinas ( ports ) - marina, marina for pleasure boats and the like

• Military port, naval base
• U-boat harbor (see submarine bunker )
• Port facilities for the Coast Guard

Marina

Fishing port

Passenger port

The largest ports

In the size comparison of several ports has to be considered in each case, according to what criteria the size of a port is evaluated. Accessible include total throughput or number of containers handled ( in TEUs ).

Worldwide

Trading volume in million tonnes in 2006

Europe

Container handling in 1000 TEU

Germany

Inland ports: trading volume in millions of tons

Comments

• Figures for Hong Kong and Shanghai also include the trade of the respective flows
• Figures for space 4-10 were professionally valued
• It can still find other sources on the Internet, in which the data deviate partially
• Not included is the Duisburg Duisport than Europe, and including private facilities, the world's largest inland port at 52.9 million tons

Port development

Most ports compete with other ports in a certain spatial distance in a competitive relationship and a competition. They try to maintain their competitive position or to improve and prepare for future developments and possible trends. All ports work on maintaining or improving their infrastructure.

Companies in ports

In most ports, there are companies that ( directly and / or indirectly ) involved in the local handling of goods and / or otherwise to there ships sailing serve (eg, gas stations, shipyards, catering).