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Port City Profiles

Welcome to the Port City Profiles page. Although shore leave and security can be contentious issues, all seafarers need information on the port city they are docked in at some point. Below you will find text and collected links to external sites that contain all the basic information you will need on many of the world's major port cities. Please use the list below to navigate to the port you are visiting.

Please note: These links are provided merely as a convenience for the users of this web site. The ITF is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites and inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement by the ITF. Concerns and questions regarding an external link must be directed to the appropriate content providers.

North America

Central and South America

Europe and Russia

Africa

Asia and Oceania

North America

Vancouver (Canada)


Photo: Thom Quine

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Country and city dialling codes: +1, 604
To dial out from Canada: 011 followed by desired country code

Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia on Canada’s west coast, with over two million inhabitants in the whole metropolitan area. With its proximity to the sea and mountains, Vancouver boasts many outdoor activities as well as cultural destinations, such as museums and galleries.

Although previously inhabited for many years by indigenous people, the present city is named after George Vancouver, the Briton who laid claim to the area in 1792. The city expanded during the gold rush of the 1850s which saw many immigrants arrive from California (although they did not stay) and then again when it became the terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway in the mid 1880s. The Port of Vancouver is the largest in Canada and it grew significantly during the 1920s after the completion of the Panama Canal, which opened it up to international trade and was seen as an alternative route to Europe.

Los Angeles/Long Beach (USA)


Photo: Thomas Pintaric

Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Country and city dialling codes: +1, 213
To dial out from USA: 011 followed by desired country code

The Port of Los Angeles is situated in San Pedro Bay (some 30km from Los Angeles itself), occupying almost 70km of waterfront and adjoining the Port of Long Beach. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are respectively the first and second busiest in the US and, together, take up a vast area of land and sea.

The city of Los Angeles is the second biggest in the US and the largest in the state of California. It is a sprawling urban area sandwiched between the ocean and mountains, famous for Hollywood and many other tourist attractions and activities.

Founded in 1781 by the Spanish, then becoming part of Mexico in 1821, Los Angeles achieved independence with the rest of California in 1848 after the Mexican-American war. A relatively young city, LA thrived during the 1900s due to its aviation manufacturing and entertainment industries, and has since grown to become one of the world’s centres of culture, entertainment and technology.

Houston (USA)


Photo: rkimpeljr

Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Country and city dialling codes: +1, 713
To dial out from USA: 011 followed by desired country code

Houston is the fourth largest city in the US and the biggest urban settlement in the state of Texas. Its large port has attracted people from all over the world, making it a cosmopolitan hub of business and culture comprised of many different ethnic communities.

Founded in 1836 by the Allen brothers, in 1937 the city was renamed after the then-President of the Republic of Texas, General Sam Houston, who led the state to independence from Mexico. Oil and related products and equipment form a significant part of Houston’s wealth but it is also a major tourist city with many cultural attractions, including NASA’s Johnson Space Centre.

New York/New Jersey (USA)


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Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Country and city dialling codes: +1,
New York: 212 (Manhattan), 718 (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island),
New Jersey: 201 (Newark and Jersey City)
Emergency services: 911
To dial out from USA: 011 followed by desired country code

Conjointly run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Port of New York/New Jersey is the largest port complex on America’s east coast and was built during the 1950s.

New York City is the largest and most populous city in the US. Discovered by Italian navigator Giovanni da Verranzo in 1524 then settled by the Dutch in 1613-14 - who called it New Amsterdam - the British finally claimed it in 1664 and renamed it New York.

Over the years the city grew to become a centre of finance, commerce and trade and is now a hugely popular tourist destination with many famous attractions including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, museums, theatres and international communities such as China Town and Little Italy.

Nicknamed the Big Apple and dubbed the City That Never Sleeps, New York is a thriving cosmopolitan mix of culture and consumerism, history and modernity, as well as entertainment.

Central and South America

Manzanillo (Mexico)


Photo: Tatehuari

Currency: Mexican New Peso (MXN)
Country and city dialling codes: +52, 314
To dial out from Mexico: 98 followed by desired country code

Manzanillo is situated in the state of Colima, on Mexico’s Pacific coast. It is home to Mexico’s busiest port as well as being a tourist destination in its own right, with many attractions including beaches, watersports and fishing. It is named after the Manzanillo tree, which used to grow in abundance in the area and was used for ship building, although no trees remain today.

Manzanillo Bay was discovered in 1527 by Spanish explorer Alvaro de Saavedra who named it Santiago’s Bay of Good Hope (English Translation), and for the next 300 years it was used as a departure point for expeditions. The port was opened in 1825 and over the years it has expanded while maintaining important transit links with other cities in Mexico.

San Antonio (Chile)


Photo: Patricio Mecklenburg (Metronick)

Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)
Country and city dialling codes: +56, 32
To dial out from Chile: 00 followed by desired country code

San Antonio is Chile’s largest freight port. Spanish is the official language although Chilean Spanish differs from European Spanish, particularly in pronunciation. Situated west of the capital Santiago, in the Valparaiso region - home to many beaches and famous for its wine production - San Antonio is a largely industrial town.

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)


Photo: Raphael Barros

Currency: Real (BRL)
Country and city dialling codes: +55, 21

Formerly the capital of Brazil and the Portuguese Empire between 1808 and 1821, Rio de Janeiro (also known as Rio) is now the second largest city in Brazil, after Sao Paulo. The official language is Portuguese. Set amongst famous natural attractions such as Sugar Loaf Mountain and long beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio is also home to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer, which can be seen from most of the city.

Although previously inhabited, Rio’s more recent history began in 1502 when Portuguese explorers sailed into Guanabara Bay and reportedly thought it was the mouth of a river, hence the city’s name, which means ‘River of January’. Rio’s growth began to accelerate when gold was discovered and the sugar trade boomed - both were sustained using slave labour; coffee later became one of the ciy’s chief exports. In 1960 the federal capital was moved to Brasilia, where it remains today.

Europe and Russia

Antwerp (Belgium)

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Country and city dialling codes: +32, (0)3
To dial out from Belgium: 00 followed by desired country code

Pronounced Antwerpen in Dutch and Anvers in French, Antwerp is the second biggest city in Belgium and capital of the province of the same name in the Flanders region. Inhabitants are called Flemings and speak Dutch.

It is located on the river Scheldt and is home to the second largest seaport in Europe (also one of the biggest in the world), with high levels of cargo shipping and oil refinery traffic, as well as being the centre of the global diamond trading industry. Antwerp has been an established merchant city since the 14th century.

Rotterdam (The Netherlands)


Photo: Ruud Zwart

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Country and city dialling codes: +31, (0)10
To dial out from Netherlands: 00 followed by desired country code

Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and was the busiest in the world until 2004 when Shanghai claimed the title. It is the second largest city in The Netherlands. Rotterdam is located on the River Nieuwe Maas and is described as the industrial heart of the country.

Originally founded in the 13th century, it gradually grew from a small fishing town into an international hub for trade, transport and industry. The city suffered severe bomb damage in World War Two and was almost completely destroyed. After an extensive post-war rebuilding programme, Rotterdam became renowned for its modern, innovative architecture. Today it is a cosmopolitan city and almost half of its population is comprised of non-Dutch natives.

Barcelona (Spain)


Photo: wilbanks

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Country and city dialling codes: +34, (0)930-938
To dial out from Spain: 00 followed by desired country code

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and the capital and most populous urban settlement in the region of Catalonia. It is home to one of Europe’s main Mediterranean ports and also the seat of the Catalan government. Both Catalan and Spanish are recognised as official languages in Barcelona. Although the date of its founding is hotly debated, the Romans certainly exerted much influence over the city’s current layout and some important ruins can be found under Placa del Rei.

Barcelona is renowned for its examples of revolutionary architecture designed by Antoni Gaudi, in particular the Sagrada Família Cathedral, which is still under construction.

Genoa (Italy)


Photo: Twice25 & Rinina25

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Country and city dialling codes: +39, (0)10
To dial out from Italy: 00 followed by desired country code

Genoa is the capital of the Liguria region in north western Italy. An ancient city, it has a rich maritime history and its earliest inhabitants can be traced back to at least the 6th century BCE, when the port was already in use. It is said to have the largest medieval quarter of a city in Europe and is widely believed to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. More recently, Genoa underwent renovations to befit its status as the 2004 European Culture Capital.

Hamburg (Germany)


Photo: Magnus Manske

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Country and city dialling codes: +49, (0)40
To dial out from Germany: 00 followed by desired country code

Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and the second biggest port city in Europe. Situated at the juncture of the rivers Elbe, Alster and Bille, Hamburg is the commercial and cultural hub of northern Germany and is known as the gateway to eastern, northern and central Europe.

Its official name is “Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg" (Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg), which refers to its membership of the medieval Hanseatic League of cities. Today, Hamburg is a city state and it is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.

St Petersburg (Russia)


Photo: Lite

Currency: Russian Federation Rouble (RUB)
Country and city dialling codes: +7, 812 - 813
To dial out from Russia: 810 followed by desired country code

St Petersburg (formerly known as Petrograd and Leningrad), was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. It is located on the Neva River and is Russia’s second largest city. Before becoming Tsar, Peter studied ship-building in England and Holland, perfecting his skills by working in dockyards.

St Petersburg was built up from nothing using forced labour and served as capital of the Russian Empire for over 200 hundred years until 1928; it is often referred to as the ‘Northern Capital’ of Russia. In the years after Peter the Great’s death, St Petersburg grew into a grand and elegant city well known for its baroque and extravagant architecture, of which The Hermitage is the most famous example.

Moscow (Russia)

Currency: Russian Federation Rouble (RUB)
Country and city dialling codes: +7, 495
To dial out from Russia: 810 followed by desired country code

Moscow is the capital of Russia and its economic, cultural and trading heart. A vast city - it is the largest in Europe by population - it has also been described as the most expensive city in the world. Located on the Moskva River in western Russia, its history and culture reflect its position straddling the East and West. Russia uses a Cyrillic alphabet and Russian is the official language.

The Kremlin, which marked the foundation of Moscow when it was built in 1147, is the official residence of the President of Russia and is one of Moscow’s top tourist sites. It is located next to the equally famous Red Square, home of Lenin’s Mausoleum and St Basil’s Cathedral. Moscow is rightly celebrated for its architecture and grandiose underground metro system.

Novorossiysk (Russia)

Currency: Russian Federation Rouble (RUB)
Country dialling code: +7
To dial out from Russia: 810 followed by desired country code

Novorossiysk is Russia’s largest port on the south western coast, serving the Black sea. It is one of only a few cities to receive the Soviet title of ‘Hero City’. Founded on the site of what was originally a Genoese colony, the present city was built by the Russians in 1838.

Vladivostok (Russia)


Photo: Kaspersky

Currency: Russian Federation Rouble (RUB)
Country and city dialling codes: +7, 4232
To dial out from Russia: 810 followed by desired country code

Founded in 1860, Vladivostok is the largest of Russia’s four sea ports. Located in what is known as the Russian Far East, its name translates as ‘Rule the East’ and it is less than 100km from the Chinese border on the Sea of Japan coastline. Vladivostok’s position is strategically significant as an entry point to Asia from Russia. The importance of its location was highlighted during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05 and it became home to the Russian Pacific Fleet.

Originally ethnically mixed due to its proximity to China, the city was closed to foreigners between 1958 and 1991 but it is now once more open to international visitors and trade. Vladivostok is linked to Moscow, more than 9,000km away, by the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Africa

Lagos (Nigeria)


Photo: Benji Robertson

Currency: Naira (NGN)
Country and city dialling codes: +234, 1
To dial out from Nigeria: 009 followed by desired country code

Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria and is made up of a group of islands surrounded by creeks and a lagoon. The official language is English although hundreds of indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country. Nigeria’s population is split roughly between 50 per cent Muslim, 40 per cent Christian and 10 per cent who practise traditional beliefs.

Lagos got its name in 1472 from Portuguese settlers, who called it after their town of origin; the word also means “lakes” in Portuguese. The city became a major trading hub for goods and later the slave trade, until it was banned. Lagos is now the commercial and industrial centre of Nigeria with the highest GNP in West Africa, and a booming oil industry to match. This prosperity has led to massive urban growth and it is predicted that the city will soon become one of the world’s largest. Formerly the capital of Nigeria, the government and other official buildings have now been relocated to Abuja.

Durban (South Africa)

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Country and city dialling codes: +27, 31
To dial out from South Africa: 00 followed by desired country code

Durban is the largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa and the biggest, busiest port in Africa. Zulu and English are the most widely spoken languages. It has also been home to the largest Asian community in South Africa since the 1860s, when the British brought over Indian labourers to work in the sugar cane industry.

Durban as it exists today was founded in 1824 and was originally called Port Natal. It was renamed in 1935 after General Benjamin d’Urban, the then governor of the Cape Colony. It is now a major industrial and trading hub, as well as a popular tourist destination due to its climate and beaches.

Mombasa (Kenya)


Photo: Matthias Krämer

Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Country and city dialling codes: +254, 41
To dial out from Kenya: 000 followed by desired country code

Mombasa is a large port comprised of three smaller ports - Kilindini Harbour, Port Tudor and Port Reitz - and is actually an island linked to the mainland by two causeways and a bridge. It is the second largest city in Kenya and the centre for coastal tourism. Its main languages are Swahili and English.

Mombasa has had a long and turbulent history and, although exact dates cannot be traced, it is said to have been a trading town with links to other countries around the Indian Ocean since the 12th century. Strong Arabic influences in its architecture can certainly be seen around the Old Town.

The first Portuguese settler arrived in 1498 but it did not become a formal Portuguese colony until 1638, during which time slavery became a major form of trade. The Portuguese built Fort Jesus, which can be visited today, as a centre for trading goods, imprisoning slaves and as a fortress to protect the colonisers. The British ruled from the late 1800s until 1963 when Kenyans successfully fought for independence.

Asia and Oceania

Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
Country and city dialling codes: +971, 4
To dial out from Dubai: 00 followed by desired country code

Dubai is one of the seven United Arab Emirates (UAE) states, which became a federation in 1971. Although the modern city was founded around the 1830s, Dubai is believed to have been an important trading port and its history can be traced back thousands of years. Artefacts unearthed from previous eras can be seen in the Dubai Museum.

Its current population is growing rapidly and is expected to double over the next few years, mostly from the influx of ex-patriates from other Arab nations, Asia and Europe.

Dubai has strict laws governing alcohol consumption, and its purchase is limited to licensed bars, restaurants and off licences.

Mumbai (India)


Photo: Rhaessner

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Country and city dialling codes: +91, 22
To dial out from India: 00 followed by desired country code

Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is actually spread across a merged cluster of seven islands. It is the commercial, industrial and entertainment centre of India and the state capital of Maharashtra on India’s west coast. It is the country’s largest and most populous city. Mumbai is also home to the famous Gateway of India monument, Bollywood (the world’s largest film industry) and India’s busiest port.

Occupied by the Portuguese in the 1530s and given to Charles II of England in 1661 as a dowry for Catherine de Braganza, Mumbai was then leased to the British East India Company in 1668. With its natural deep sea harbour, massive growth of the port and city soon began in earnest. Today, spoken languages are Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati.

Singapore (Republic of Singapore)


Photo: Jani Patokallio

Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Country and city dialling codes: +65
To dial out from Singapore: 001 followed by desired country code

The city state of Singapore is home to a large mix of ethnicities. This has resulted in a melting pot of cuisine and communication, with Mandarin, Tamil, Malay and English the four official languages. Although long established as a fishing town, Singapore's modern foundations are credited to Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company who, in 1819, set up a trading post and declared a free-trade policy, which saw the beginning of a huge influx of immigrants from various countries.

One of the smallest countries in the world, since its independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore has grown into a modern, commercial, financial and industrial hub, as well as home to the world’s busiest container port.

Hong Kong (People’s Republic of China)

Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Country and city dialling codes: +852
To dial out from Hong Kong: 001 followed by desired country code

Handed back to China in 1997 after over a century of British colonial rule, Hong Kong is described as one of two ‘Special Administrative Regions’ of the People’s Republic of China - the other being Macau. After the Anglo-Chinese or 'Opium' Wars, Hong Kong was surrendered to Britain in 1842. It grew as a manufacturing centre and over the years received many refugees from mainland China, which fuelled its workforce and helped turn Hong Kong into a major port and economic hub.

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Cantonese is the main official language, with English also recognised and widely spoken. It is famous for its extensive shopping areas and skyscrapers, and for tourist attractions such as Victoria Peak.

Shanghai (People’s Republic of China)

Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Country and city dialling codes: (00)86, 21
To dial out from China: 00 followed by desired country code

Shanghai is home to the world’s biggest cargo port and is also the largest city in the People’s Republic of China. Situated at the juncture of the Yangtze River, Grand Canal and Pacific Ocean on China’s east coast, it has been an important trade and fishing centre since the 16th century. The arrival of British, French, American and Japanese settlers throughout the 1800s, followed by a large influx of white Russians and Russian Jews in the 1920s and ‘30s, aided its growth in becoming a major manufacturing and commercial hub, although corruption and gangs were widespread.

Birthplace of the Communist Party of China in 1921, Shanghai is now the country’s fastest developing city, and is a mix of old and rapidly expanding modern architecture, as well as being one of its most important cultural, commercial, financial and industrial centres.

The regional dialect is Shanghainese although Mandarin is promoted by the government as the unifying language of China.

Busan (Republic of Korea)


Photo: lwy

Currency: South Korean Won (KRW)
Country and city dialling codes: +82, 51

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city and is its first and largest port. The only city not to have been taken by North Korea during the war (1950-53), Busan became a haven for refugees.

Host to the Asian Games and also one of the football World Cup venues in 2002, it has a long-standing relationship with the Japanese dating back to the 15th century, and ferries run regularly from Busan port to locations in Japan, as well as China.

Yokohama (Japan)


Photo: Gleam

Currency: Yen (JPY)
Country and city dialling codes: +81, 45

Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and is the commercial centre of the Greater Tokyo Area (it is only 30 minutes from Tokyo by train). Originally a fishing village, Yokohama’s roots can be traced back to the 11th century but it wasn’t until 1859, five years after the signing of the Japan-US Treaty of Peace and Amity, that the city’s port finally opened. This was followed by further treaties with Holland, Russia, Great Britain and France, opening a previously isolated Japan to trade with the West.

Silk became one of the major trading goods and Yokohama grew into the hub for foreign trade in Japan. Twice destroyed (once by a massive earthquake in 1923 and then by American air raids in 1945 during World War Two) and rebuilt, Yokohama is a thriving port city with many tourist attractions including a zoo, extensive shopping and a large Chinatown area.

Melbourne (Australia)


Photo: Alejo Viale

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Country and city dialling codes: +61
To dial out from Australia: 00 11 followed by desired country code

Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria and Australia’s second largest city; it is often described as the nation’s cultural capital. Founded in 1835 on the banks of the Yarra River, it was named after the British Prime Minister of the time and it quickly expanded during the gold rush of the 1850s. Melbourne was the capital of Australia from 1901 to 1927 before the parliament moved to Canberra, where it remains today.

A cosmopolitan city with strong European influences evident in its architecture and parks, migrants from all over the world have made Melbourne their home, and it has the largest Greek population of a city outside Greece. This multiculturalism is reflected throughout the city as well as in its cuisine. Melbourne is a popular tourist destination thanks to various attractions, including its beaches.