You have just been hired to manage a port terminals business. You have a little bit of knowledge of ports, but not enough to understand how this industry works.

Running a port operator business has its challenges. Your main concerns are ensuring the business is productive and your staff is well-educated about the business. You'll have to make tough decisions, such as if this is the right time to invest in new gantry cranes or expanding storage areas. To help you tackle these decisions, you must get ports and terminals education and training:

1. Understand port terminals by taking courses.

2. Attend seminars to learn about North America ports.

3. Use handbooks in order to become knowledgeable about the biggest ports.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain ports and terminals education and training by taking courses

If you're determined to operate a successful ports and terminals business, you and your staff must learn about the business side of port terminals. Courses will show you how to get clients and hire the right terminal operators. You will also learn about when it is the right time to expand your operations. For example, instructors will teach you when you should invest in computerized yard management systems, lifting equipment or new gentry cranes.

I recommend: The West Coast Maritime Institute offers a course in ports and terminals. Not only will you will learn about ports logistics, but international trade, including European ports. The IBC Global Academy offers a 12-month distance learning course on terminal ports. This course will not only cover U.S. ports, but others, such as Europe ports.

Learn more about North America ports through seminars

Seminars can provide intensive ports and terminals education and training. You can learn how American ports and Africa ports are meeting the demands of clients. Seminars will also feature leading port professionals who talk about the latest technologies that port operators are implementing. Another subject that port professionals might discuss is security, which is essential to running a successful port operator business.

I recommend: The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) offers seminars on ports and terminals. This organization conducts seminars twice a year. One of the topics you will learn about is how information technology makes ports more secure. Trans-Events also provides seminars that cover a wide range of topics that pertain to ports and terminals, such as technology and terminal management.

Learn about ports and terminals through handbooks

In order to keep your business flourishing, you need to become knowledgeable about international ports listings. Handbooks will give you detailed information on the world's largest ports. Other educational areas that handbooks provide can be the latest in berth development and modern port construction.

I recommend: The Dictionary of International Trade offers international ports listings. This book lists the most active inland ports and seaports in the world. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) also offers a book on ports and terminals. This book deals with port design and construction as well as berth construction.

Since 1970, the amount of cargo that passes through international ports and terminals has more than doubled. The largest percentage of growth is in the shipping of petroleum. The world's largest ports are in Asia and Europe. Seaports experiencing the most growth are in Asia. Ports around the world vary in cargo handling capacity. In Africa, ports are typically not able to handle the largest of container vessels. North American ports, European ports and Asian ports are able to handle large cargo vessels. Ports in South America are expanding to meet increased demand.

No matter where you are thinking of expanding your operation, ports and terminals around the world are ready to handle your business' cargo. Partner with experienced professionals on multiple continents to help make your expansion seamless.

The following resources will help you grow your business through international ports:

1. Connect with the fastest growing consumer market in the world through Asian ports and terminals.

2. Access customers in the EU by shipping to European ports.

3. Expand your business through North American ports.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Utilize Asian ports and terminals to reach billions of potential customers

In Asia, the largest ports are in China, with Shanghai being home to the world's largest port. Increased industrial production here has led to growth in maritime shipping. Utilize these ports to reach a growing consumer market.

I recommend: The Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics has compiled a list of ports across Asia. Find more information on the ports and terminals you are interested in by clicking on the links provided. Port Focus provides a list of ports in China. Click on locations to find out about the ports and terminals there.

Reach customers in the EU by shipping to European ports

In Europe, ports along the Mediterranean receive a lot of traffic from Middle Eastern petroleum vessels. Europe's biggest ports are in the Netherlands. Learn more about European ports before expanding your operation.

I recommend: Business Line provides links to major European ports. Click on a city or country to access information about ports. The European Sea Ports Organisation offers useful facts and information about ports across Europe. Choose from reports, maps and statistics.

Access markets worldwide through North American ports

In the United States, ports on the Pacific Coast are seeing an increase in trade with China and other Asian nations. The same is true in Canada. In North America, ports and terminals are essential for international trade, and offer good places to start expanding your business.

I recommend: The American Association of Port Authorities offers information on US ports. Choose from a range of reports and statistics on various topics related to doing business through ports. The Association of Canadian Port Authorities provides information about the nation's port industry. Access territorial port authorities by clicking on the links below each authority's description.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use a company that offers consulting services if you are interested in expanding your business through international ports and terminals.

Being aware of the proper terminology when it comes to ports and terminals will help you in the import and export business, as well as the travel industry. Knowing what goes into and out of the country, as well as terminology related to the regulations surrounding areas within ports, will better serve you as you work with people in the industry as you jump into the field. Know what goes on in free-trade zones, and learn about intermodal transport, jurisdiction and more.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Foreign-trade zones

Foreign-trade zones are areas on port property that act as tariff-free zones. These are incentive, value-added areas for foreign traders because they allow import of goods to U.S. soil to be held in these areas until they are sold or traded, and only then will they be taxed by U.S. customs.

I recommend: Find out about foreign trade zones and the benefits that come with them at the Port of Shelton.

Jurisdiction

Port authorities often have jurisdiction, or authority or control, over other transportation in the area. This can include, but is not limited to, tunnels, bridges, airports, railways, terminals, marinas and shipyards.

I recommend: Learn about the jurisdiction of the Port of Greater Baton Rogue. Learn more about the jurisdiction of ports in Malaysia at the Maritime Institute of Malaysia.

Intermodal transport

Intermodal transport is transport of freight in a container using many modes of transportation. This often includes rail, ship or truck, and the transport is done without handling in order to reduce damage and loss as well as speed up transfer.

I recommend: Find out about intermodal transport from the Port of Los Angeles.

Commodities

Commodities are products that are the same no matter who produces them (e.g. apples, lumber, steel, potatoes, phosphate). Many of the basic commodities are shipped via waterways and ports.

I recommend: Learn what commodities the Port of Milwaukee specializes in.

Port authority

A port authority is the governmental body formed to create and support the economic development within an area via the waterway and other modes of transportation in the area.

I recommend: Find out more about the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Inland feeder terminals

Inland feeder terminals are used to increase the speed and efficiency of port terminals. It is where a direct inland connection is created between an inland terminal and the location's port.

I recommend: Find out more about inland feeder terminals from Hofstra University.

From the biggest ports to the smallest port terminals, knowing the proper rules, regulations and protocol will help you with smoother import and export transactions and business dealings. Whether you are dealing with American ports, European ports, ports in Asia, ports in south America or Australia, the destination makes to difference. What is important is to prepare yourself by reviewing the particular port authority's rules and regulations in addition to the country's import and export laws.

Ports and terminals are the entryway to a country, so they are highly secure. You don't want to be a source of an international incident, so proper preparation will help you comply with all shipping, paperwork and regulatory compliance issues that you need to work through upon entrance into port waters.

To find out more about ports and terminals laws and regulations:

1. Learn about United States ports and terminals.

2. Discover as much as you can about international ports listings before your next export business endeavor.

3. Check out the rules and regulations at European ports and terminals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what rules apply in US ports

As you prepare to export from United States ports and terminals, learn what security, tax and other regulations apply to your vessels and cargo so that you can stay compliant and not run into any legal issues.

I recommend: Discover what laws and regulations apply to shippers and boaters in the Port of Nome in Alaska. Find security and regulation information from the Alabama State Port Authority.

Find out what rules apply at various international ports and terminals

Learn how your shipping can be affected by going through international port terminals. Be prepared for your next export adventure by knowing the rules and regulations of the port or terminal destination of your choice.

I recommend: Take a look at the regulations at Walvis Bay port, one of the many ports in Africa. Ports there can be tricky to navigate for westerners due to language barriers, so be sure and have all of your paperwork lined up before you leave, and tackle the language barrier issue before it becomes an issue. Use the resource available to learn about regulations, provisions, terminals and more. Try the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands. They cover a wide variety of port policies and coastal water regulations.

Look at the rules and regulations at ports and terminals in Europe

Find out what the laws and regulations are at in Europe. Ports' protection is much like that in the US, but you want to make sure that you are aware of the specifics of the particular port you are visiting or staying in preparation of your visit.

I recommend: Find out more about the regulations at the Port of Rijeka Authority in Croatia. Check out the Port of Klaipeda in Lithuania. Look at the port regulations from the Port of Kotka. They cover a number of topics ranging from arrival in port and berthing of your vessel, port security, unloading, loading and storage, environmental regulations, prevention of fire as well as measures to take in the event of damage or violations.