Importance and Functions of Ports
- The main functions of seaports are:
- To ensure safety for seagoing vessels entering, operation in and leaving the seaport.
- To provide facilities and equipment necessary for seagoing vessels to anchor, load and unload cargo, and embark and disembark passengers.
- These are activities associated with ports which include
- operation of vessels,
- cargo handling equipment,
- locomotives, trucks, vehicles
- storage and warehousing facilities related to the transportation of cargo or passengers
- development and maintenance of supporting infrastructure.
- Ports are used for gathering huge amounts of goods both for local, regional and international needs.
- Specific importance and roles may include;
- International Trade Facilitation
- Revenue collection
- Immigration Control
- Limitation of International trade crimes
- Economic contribution to the country
- Creation of Employment and
- Facilitation of the supply chain
- Port as hub- country entry and exit point