Inland port
An inland port is a port on a river, canal, or other inland waterway where vessels transfer cargo to or from land transport or other vessels.
Intermodal freight transport: The movement of freight in one loading unit across multiple transport modes without handling the goods themselves. Inland ports transfer cargo between waterways, roads, and railways, often using standardized units.
Dry port: An inland intermodal terminal connected to a seaport by rail or road and offering port-related services. Some inland ports operate as extensions of maritime ports, shifting storage and customs activity inland.
Seaport: A port on a sea or ocean where vessels load and unload passengers or cargo. Unlike an inland port, a seaport directly serves maritime routes at the coast.
Port-centric logistics: A logistics model that locates storage, processing, and distribution activities near a port. Inland ports can host port-related services away from congested coastal gateways.
Container terminal: A facility where shipping containers are transferred between vessels and land transport. Container terminals provide the cranes, storage, and vehicle access needed for port transfers.
Inland container depot: An inland facility for handling, storing, and processing freight containers, often with customs services. Container-focused inland ports may combine cargo transfers with inspection and container storage.
Inland terminal: A freight facility away from a coast that connects transport modes but may lack a navigable-waterway berth. Not every inland freight terminal is a port; direct access to inland navigation is the key distinction.
Modal shift: A change in the share of freight or passenger movement carried by one transport mode rather than another. Moving freight by inland vessel can shift traffic from road to water, depending on route and cargo.
Inland waterway transport: The movement of people or goods by vessel on rivers, canals, lakes, and other inland waters. An inland port is a transfer point within this wider transport network.
River port: A port located on a river, serving vessels and cargo moving along inland waterways. River ports are a common form of inland port, shaped by local waterway conditions.