Introduction
The expected future traits and associated processes for handling vessels in the future are expected to impose significant pressure on superstructure and infrastructure of both ports and terminals. The extended lead-time attributed to extending programs and the rising land deficiencies and linking infrastructure creates a need for advance planning together with reserving areas in consideration for such probable improvements. The hasty post-Panamax container vessel institution has revealed that a growing number of ports as well as terminals were not prepared adequately to ensure that they would accommodate huge vessels together with their affiliated operations. Just via significantly costly amendments would numerous ports and terminals manage to recompense for the delay witnessed in availing the needed facilities (Rijsenbrij, 2008) . This paper discusses the pros and the opposing viewpoints of advancing ports and terminals for transportation purposes.
Pros of the Concept
Developing ports and terminals with the goal of improving transportation is vital for long-term planning, especially with the growing demands associated with the ultra-large container vessels. For instance, improving the ports will allow the access channel for clearing keels. Even while additional costs will be incurred, the efforts will be worth it owing to the growing influence of globalization in the transportation sector. Improving the infrastructure, such as by instituting huge turning basis and powerful tugboats will help in maneuvering, which will ensure that stay in ports lessens. An improved fender system together with upgraded bollards will facilitate in anchorage initiatives. Additionally, advancements of ports and terminals will facilitate in the redesigning of the quay wall, which will facilitate in coping with the growing mooring forces, increased depth of water, and wider quay cranes. The move will also facilitate in tolerating the forces that will result from the increased power for thrusting aft and bow. Moreover, it will be possible to realize adequate facilities that will assist in meeting the needs for tons of bunker oil together with ensuring sufficient time for maintaining vessels as well as supply initiatives (Rijsenbrij, 2008) . These improvements in infrastructure would play an essential role in streamlining the operations of ports and terminals.
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Opposing Viewpoints
The concept of developing ports and terminals for streamlining transportation is, however, subject to several opposing viewpoints. For instance, several issues are attributed to port infrastructures, especially the ports based along rivers, which are continuing to experience dredging challenges while river widths hinders their capacity due to navigation constraints. Challenges face ports based along rivers, particularly those related to capability for handing enormous ships of the new generation. The post-Panamax containers, for instance, have imposed extra pressure on the pressure of ports when it comes to accommodating the transshipment burden that the huge ships generate. In the event of the ports situated close to seas, they experience the infrastructure’s lateral spread issue. Various ports experience growth issues, which lead them to extend their infrastructure past the initial site of the port. Since certain ports are actually old while others have contributed to growth of urban areas, they are based close to central areas. As such, congestion issues are emerging to an extent that challenges are emerging when it comes to improving transportation networks (Rodrigue, 2017) . Additionally, prioritization issues emerge mostly because the urban areas and ports are rivaling for the same land, while the two have conflicting relationships in their functions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the idea of improving ports and terminals to streamlining transportation presents both pros while opposing viewpoints also prevail. The pros mostly revolve around the efficiency that the transportation sector would realize whereas the opposing viewpoints ague on navigation constraints and the competing demands between ports and urban areas. In this sense, it is crucial to consider balancing between the demands for land and ports. This move would ensure that the infrastructures and superstructures at ports and terminals could realize their goals and objectives in the transportation sector.
References
Rijsenbrij, J. (2008). Container handling in mainports: a dilemma about future scales. In J. W. Konings, The future of intermodal freight transport: operations, design and policy (pp. 109-134). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Rodrigue, J. (2017). The geography of transportation systems. New York: Routledge.
