A terminal is a section of a seaport where the loading or unloading operations of cargo or embarkation of passengers take place. In general, the difference between a port and a terminal lies in this aspect. There are usually several terminals in each seaport.

Two important aspects regarding the significance of terminals:

1. Border creation: Terminals help establish a boundary between customers and port authorities. Terminals serve as locations for the embarkation of ship passengers and the unloading of cargo, which are inspected by officials.

Difference between port and terminal:

A port is a commercial location where activities such as negotiations and transactions take place, while terminals function similarly to highway police stations, engaging in official and legal activities to maintain the security of the country and maritime routes.

A terminal is referred to as a section of a port; there may even be several terminals within one port. Generally, a terminal is a specific part of a port, while each port has its own unique components.

Introduction to Iranian terminals:

In each port, there are usually several terminals, each serving a specific purpose. Finally, a significant portion of domestic and international trade transactions occurs through maritime transportation via rivers, seas, and international waters, facilitated by various types of ships.