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
Port call
Port of 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.
Ports of call by role in a voyage
Type
What it is for
Load port
Where cargo is taken on board.
Discharge port
Where cargo is delivered.
Bunkering port
Where fuel is taken, sometimes chosen for price rather than for route.
Port of refuge
An unscheduled stop entered for safety, repair or medical reasons.
FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions we get about Port of Call.
What does Port of Call mean?
A port at which a vessel is scheduled to stop during a voyage.
What is a first port of call?
The first port entered on arrival in a country or after a voyage leg. It generally determines which customs, immigration and health formalities apply.
What is a last port of call?
The port a vessel departed before its current arrival. It is declared on entry and is relevant to health and security screening.