Ports

Ports are facilities located along coastlines, rivers, or inland waterways where ships load and unload cargo and passengers. They serve as links between maritime transport and other modes of freight, supply chains, and regional economies. Typical port facilities include docks or quays, breakwaters, cranes, warehouses, and sometimes passenger terminals.

There are various types of ports. Seaports handle international or domestic sea traffic and may be dedicated to containers, bulk cargo, or general cargo. Inland ports are situated inland to facilitate river or canal transport. Some ports are primarily for passengers, others combine several functions. Ports may be natural harbors or artificial developments created by dredging and construction. They are often governed by port authorities and may be operated directly by municipalities, national governments, or public-private partnerships.

Operations and infrastructure: Movement of ships is guided by pilots; tugboats assist with docking; cargo is transferred with cranes, forklifts, and conveyors; storage occurs in warehouses; customs, immigration, and security procedures apply for international traffic. Dredging maintains water depths; maintenance and safety are ongoing concerns.

Impact and governance: Ports support trade, logistics, and employment but require large capital investment and careful planning to minimize environmental effects, such as dredging, habitat disruption, and pollution. Sustainable practices include shore power for ships, cleaner equipment, and habitat protection.

In computing, a port is also a communication endpoint on a computer or network device. Network ports are identified by numbers from 0 to 65535 and used by TCP or UDP protocols. Well-known ports include 80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS, and 22 for SSH. In addition to software, the term port also refers to physical interfaces such as USB, HDMI, or serial ports that connect peripherals.