Port

Nature - Beach

A port is a facility for receiving ships and/or transferring cargo. It is usually found at the edge of an ocean, sea, river, or lake. The best ports have deep water in channels or berths, and protection from the wind and waves. Harbor pilots and tugboats are often used to maneuver large ships in tight quarters as they approach and leave the docks. Ports which handle international traffic also have customs facilities.

The terms "port" and "seaport" are used for different types of port facilities that handle ocean-going vessels, and river port is used for river traffic, such as barges and other shallow-draft vessels. Some ports on a lake, river, or canal have access to a sea or ocean, and are sometimes called "inland ports".

A fishing port is a type of port or harbor facility particularly suitable for landing and distributing fish. It may be a recreational facility, but it is usually a commercial one.

A prerequisite for a port is a harbor with water of sufficient depth to receive ships whose draft will allow passage into and out of the harbor.