Port Operations and Agency
Port of Call
A port at which a vessel is scheduled to stop during a voyage. During a port call, the concept may affect coordination, timing, cost, documentation or responsibility between the vessel and local parties.
What the term refers to
A port of call is a place in a voyage, not an event at that place.
Which ports a vessel may call at is usually set by the charter party, sometimes as a named list and sometimes as a range.
The first and last ports of call carry regulatory weight, because arrival formalities are based on them.
Port of Call is a term used in maritime business and operations.
A port at which a vessel is scheduled to stop during a voyage.
During a port call, the concept may affect coordination, timing, cost, documentation or responsibility between the vessel and local parties. The exact meaning may vary with the contract, jurisdiction, port practice or workflow in which it is used.
Port of call compared with port call
An event.
A place.
Created when the vessel actually visits that place.
Named in the voyage itinerary or the charter party.
Has a beginning, a duration and an end.
Fixed for the voyage, unless the itinerary changes.
Carries the services, documents and account for the visit.
Carries no costs of its own.
Port call
An event.
Port of call
A place.
Port call
Created when the vessel actually visits that place.
Port of call
Named in the voyage itinerary or the charter party.
Port call
Has a beginning, a duration and an end.
Port of call
Fixed for the voyage, unless the itinerary changes.
Port call
Carries the services, documents and account for the visit.
Port of call
Carries no costs of its own.
Ports of call by role in a voyage
Type
Load port
What it is for
Where cargo is taken on board.
Type
Discharge port
What it is for
Where cargo is delivered.
Type
Bunkering port
What it is for
Where fuel is taken, sometimes chosen for price rather than for route.
Type
Port of refuge
What it is for
An unscheduled stop entered for safety, repair or medical reasons.
FAQ
01
02
03