Dry Port
A dry port is an inland terminal directly connected by rail or road to a sea port, providing services for handling, temporary storage, inspection and customs clearance for international freight. Dry ports are generally located where good rail and road connectivity is possible. They are also known as also called an inland port or multimodal logistics centre. It serves as a transshipment point in the transport of export/import goods.
They are also developed to relieve major seaport of some work load and congestion. It consists of facilities like container yards, warehouses, railway sidings, cargo-handling equipment, and administrative services for export and import clearances. Dry ports in the landlocked States can play an equivalent role as sea ports for intra-regional trade.
If the importer or exporter is far away from a sea port, it will be an inconvenience to co-ordinate and handle the goods properly. So the government has allowed CFS (container freight station) to handle export and import formalities under customs supervision. Such CFS can be located in dry ports which are to be equipped for handling and temporary storage of containerized cargo as well as empties. The cargo will be moved by rail or road from the sea port to CFS. The exporter can complete customs formalities in CFS and ship the goods without moving cargo to sea port. Likewise, importer can take delivery of cargo near his place after completing procedures at dry port.
The main characteristics of Dry ports are;
a. An intermodal terminal, either rail or barge that has been built or expanded.
b. A connection with a port terminal through rail, barge or truck services.
c. An array of logistical activities that support and organize the freight transited, often co-located with the intermodal terminal.