Services offered at seaports

Services offered at seaports

      Port Authorities, e.g. Port of Singapore Authority, are responsible for maintaining the efficiency of the port. They may provide the following facilities:

Ø  dock facilities to enable ships to dock, load, unload, fuel and be repaired

Ø  good transport connections inland - linking the port by road and rail networks

Ø  mechanised handling facilities - gantries, cranes, pumps for unloading

Ø  warehousing, bonded warehousing and offices for shipping companies, customs, immigration

Ø  ship repair yards - dry docks

Ø  deep water access - pilots, dredging, navigational aids specialised facilities for handling certain types of cargo, e.g. container handling equipment

Ø  security and emergency facilities

      Efficient seaport facilities are important because they enable ships to ‘turnaround quickly’ so cutting dock and freight costs. They enable goods to be imported and exported efficiently so increasing the volume of world trade