The basis of a well-developed business strategy for commercial trade is logistics planning.

Sometimes it is necessary to make an effort to understand complex cargo transportation operations.

In the examples, let’s see what services the port provides to you and in what cases. Today you will get an answer to the question of why a modern supply chain cannot function without well-established port services.

Provision of port services

Ports provide modernized cargo handling services and navigational technical assistance. Receiving goods, loading/unloading, transport from port to port, and even further shipment are widely used cargo services.

All the services mentioned above and the other services listed below form the basis of logistics operations.

Anchoring services are provided in ports to ensure ship safety. Floating signals, buoys and pilot services are important to prevent accidents and incidents related to vessel movements.

What is a pilot?

Pilot service is provided to help the ship arrive on time for loading/unloading operations and to protect it from accidents:

The pilot boards the ship together with the captain and, based on the characteristics of the port and port entrance, guides the ship in the safest way to the designated anchorage area;

Then the pilot, together with the ship captain, agrees on the number and necessity of tugboats and mooring personnel.

When the ship is preparing to depart, it is the pilot’s duty to board the ship for post-anchoring supervision.

Also, when a dangerous situation arises near the port, a pilot is assigned to guide the ship to a safe area.

Pilot station

The pilot is an experienced sea captain licensed to guide any vessel from the port entrance to the berth. The feature of the established pilotage process is that the pilot station must be located in a place where the entire port area and routes can be seen. This strategic position is the first point where the ship’s captain must contact to report the ETA of the arrival. Then the pilot gives permission to proceed to a specific free berth and begins preparations.

The pilot station is included in nautical charts, meaning if the berth is not yet free, the arrival time at the pilot station is recorded in the ship’s logbook. After loading and unloading operations are completed and the ship’s captain receives cargo documents, the departure time is also reported to the pilot station.

Is towing required?

Tug services ensure the safe movement of sailing vessels. This is especially true when the vessels provided are tugboats that can be equipped with firefighting systems and carry tools needed for repairing ship engines. Such an advanced maritime service ensures efficient and fast movement of ships.

Towing can be mandatory or voluntary and is available in all major ports of the world. This service is somewhat more expensive. Many people use it and sometimes it is really necessary.

You can get help from logistics specialists to find the best price for your entire transportation.

They take all payments into account for you.

In some ports you may encounter unexpected towing charges even if you do not use the service. Therefore it is worthwhile to use an experienced logistics planning approach.

How to determine whether towing is mandatory?

If your cargo is transported by a large vessel that has difficulty turning in time, some waterways require towing. For the same reason, tug services are provided in narrow channels and ports where ships’ maneuvering ability is limited.

Weather conditions during anchoring or departure, or unexpected dangerous situations near the port, may also cause the captain to require tug services (in cases where they are not mandatory in ports).

Alternative to towing

To save on services, modern ships are equipped with bow and stern thrusters. These are electrically powered propellers that allow the bow of the ship to move left or right. Such devices are intended for independent maneuvering in port waters, except in emergency situations.

Role of mooring and unmooring operations

Mooring workers are port personnel who help secure the anchor ropes lowered by the ship’s crew (usually a group of three people) to bollards.

After a cargo ship arrives, mooring is a necessary service. The process has some details:

The port captain determines which bollards the anchor ropes will be tied to.

At the same time, tugboats push or pull the vessel from the sea side after the ropes are secured to capstans (depending on wind direction). This ensures smooth mooring.

During departure, the pilot oversees the unmooring process; he determines the mandatory sequence for releasing the ship’s cable fastenings.