International Ports

Situated on the edge of sea, lake or an ocean, port imparts facility for receiving ships and transferring of cargo. For facilitating smooth loading and unloading process of ships, ports use cargo handling equipments like cranes and forklifts. Ports can be further classified as national ports and international ports. Those ports whose area of work is confined only to the domestic territory of a nation is called national ports but those ports which facilitate export and importing of goods/services are called international ports. Apart from loading/unloading process, international ports also offer custom facilities. Generally both the terms 'ports' and 'seaports' are used in context of those ports which facilitate handling of ocean going vessels and 'river ports' are those which assist in handling river traffic. Canada has the longest coastline followed by Indonesia, Greenland. India has approximately 7000 km coastline.

At ports, cargo containers help in providing efficient transportation of goods in throughout the world. Cargo reaches to the port by train and truck and then they are consolidated for loading onto a big container ships in case of international transportation. Container ships carry out all their load in large containers, usually that of a truck size. These are called cargo ships. Such ports and container ships play imperative role in planning out and implantation of modern inventory strategies.

The ports play a crucial role in nation's economic and social development. They are considered to be the lifeline of any country's economy as any country trading with international arena is generally done through sea path. The significance of any port can be weighted by evaluating different factors like dollar value of goods loaded/unloaded, gross tonnage, military importance. International ports help in exporting and importing goods from/to another nations. The smooth and hassle free facilities offered by any port help in minimizing the extra cost and burden which otherwise would arise during international trade. Like Venezuela is recognized as the major petroleum exporter and has recorded 48% increase in its total export. It is blessed with long coastline and backed with the hi tech country's port, which have reduced the duration of time and cost to a maximum extent and boost up other nations for looking forward the country as an efficient petroleum products exporter.

Several ports around the world claimed for the 'world's busiest port' title. But there is no standardization means of laying down the exact performance of evaluating and reviewing the performance and traffic of ports on international level. From last 10 years, the Port of Singapore in Eastern Asia is contested with ports of Eastern Europe to tag with the 'world's busiest port' title. A list has been prepared for recognizing busiest port of the world. Chiba Port in Japan, Hong Kong Port in Hong Kong, Johor Port in Malaysia and Ports of America have been put under the list.