Harbour

A harbour, or harbor, is a sheltered body of water along a coast or river that provides safe anchorage and access for ships to load, unload, and provision. Harbours may occur naturally or be created or expanded through engineering such as breakwaters, dredging, and quay development. The term describes the water area and the associated harbour works; a port is the facility and operations within a harbour where ships are berthed and cargo is handled, though the words are often used interchangeably in everyday language.

Harbours typically include a range of structures and features designed for access and protection. These can include breakwaters or sea walls, piers, wharves or docks, jetties, and sometimes marinas for leisure craft. Depth, sheltered approaches, and shoreline configuration determine the size and type of vessels served. Harbours may specialise in fishing, ferries, containerised cargo, bulk commodities, or passenger traffic, and some function as inland or river harbours connected to inland transport networks.

Functions and operations commonly associated with harbours include loading and unloading of goods, refuelling or bunkering, pilotage and tug services, ship maintenance and repairs, and cargo handling with cranes and yards. They also support services such as customs clearance, storage, and logistics, along with safety, security, and environmental management to minimise impact on adjacent coastlines and ecosystems.

Governance and development vary by country but typically involve port authorities, municipal or national agencies, and private operators. Harbours have evolved from ancient sheltering sites to modern multimodal logistics hubs integral to global trade.