Vessels – The type of vessel and its
dimensions and capacity determine the input capacity of a port. It
involves berth design, water-borne handling equipment selection,
and the necessities for both storage and land-mode capacity. The
main characteristics of the vessel that are considered during
construction are:
Length, which determines the widths and bends of the channel as
well as the maximum number of berths.
Breadth, which affects cargo-handling equipment selection as
well as the width of the channels.
Draft, which decided the depth along the berths.
Location – It begins with data collection and
ends with the receiving of government permits. The location is
chosen based on the natural conditions, inter-modal connections,
and stakeholder requirements. For container terminals, some other
factors that are considered include the availability of deep water,
availability of land, oceanographic conditions, and soil
conditions.
Permits – These are a significant part of the
designing process. Large scale projects that can be potentially
damaging to the environment require permits to commence operations.
Projects that start without permits will be deemed illegal. Ports
need permits to open. Environmental permits are issued by Local
Environmental Project Agencies. The permits should include clean
air permit, construction permit, and water discharge permit.
Logistics – It is the general supply chain of
how resources are obtained, stored, and supplied to their final
destination. It involves identifying suitable distributors and
suppliers, while at the same time determining their effectiveness
and accessibility.