ENGINEERING AND PORT DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

This paper discusses the values of a feasibility study for the development of a port. These reports cover many aspects of a harbor's operations such as: volume of cargo to be handled, connections with inland transportation systems, utilization of facilities, development of container terminals, soundings of the harbor, dredging and other costs of port improvement. These studies can be geared for the building of a port in an underdeveloped country, or for the improvement of a port in a highly developed nation. The author contends that, even though these preliminary plans will not be followed exactly due to such things as political and economic changes, a forecast of a port's development should be made. It is concluded that a plan for a port's future is necessary to shape a port authority's policies and to maintain a port in competitive condition.