Basic Constraints of Port Sites

Port location is constrained by the physical characteristics of their sites. The first involves land access and the second concerns maritime access. Both must be jointly satisfied as they are crucial for port operations, which rely on a maritime / land interface. This interface takes shape as a linear space along the coastline (or a river depending on the port site) that experiences, due to an appropriate site, the accumulation of port infrastructures. Thus, both land and maritime access can impair port operations and port development since a port benefiting from good land access but poor maritime access will be facing difficulties as well as a port that has good maritime access but poor land access. However, maritime access is the attribute that can be mitigated the least. Activities such as dredging and the construction of facilities such as docks are very expensive, underlining the enduring importance of a good port site.