Dry Port
A Dry Port is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected to a seaport (usually by rail, and by road) where shippers can hand over or collect containerised cargo and complete customs clearance as if at the port itself. It extends the seaport's functions inland, moving the interface between shippers and the shipping system closer to where cargo originates or is destined.
Dry ports (closely related to the Inland Container Depot / ICD and inland clearance depot) offer container handling and storage, customs clearance, consolidation/deconsolidation, and often empty-container depot functions inland. They relieve congestion at seaports, shift long-haul movement to efficient rail (reducing cost and emissions), and bring port services to inland industrial and trade centres. Cargo typically moves between the seaport and dry port under customs transit. Dry ports are strategically important in large countries and landlocked regions for extending trade reach and improving supply-chain efficiency, and their operations are managed with terminal and depot systems. They are a key element of modern intermodal logistics networks.
A dry port brings the seaport inland — letting shippers clear customs and hand over containers near their factories, and shifting the long haul onto efficient rail. It relieves port congestion, cuts cost and emissions, and extends trade to landlocked and interior regions. For large countries especially, dry ports are strategic infrastructure in the intermodal network.
How is a dry port different from a seaport?
It is inland, connected to a seaport by rail/road, offering container handling and customs clearance without being on the coast.
How does cargo move between a seaport and dry port?
Usually by rail under customs transit, with duties suspended until final clearance at the dry port or destination.