The dominant route of international commerce is its Harbours and Ports. Through them, cargoes and travellers pass from one part of the globe to another. A Port is where a ship can dock, whereas a Harbour is where ships receive and discharge cargo. 

Ports and Harbours are precisely the same. A Port is a harbour town where ships receive or discharge cargo, whereas a Harbour is an area where a ship can dock. Key Harbour components include breakwaters, jetties, entrance channels, berthing basins, piers, and docks. Docks provide a uniform water level for loading and unloading cargo, and wet docks for general cargo or dry docks for ship repairs. Therefore, the design engineer must protect the Harbour from storms and large waves.

Developing a harbour into an economically thriving Port depends upon several primary conditions. Adjoining land areas’ geographical and regional characteristics should be favourable for piers, wharves, loading and unloading facilities, warehouses, population centre development, industries, railroads, and ship repair Harbours. Also, an accessible interior economy that provides products and services for export while providing a market for imported goods. The bottom of the Harbour should offer a good holding ground for anchors—it must not be too rocky, sandy, or muddy. The primary requirements of a good Harbour are that it is open and has sufficient water depth for vessels to enter and exit safely. Ocean Harbours are commonly 40 feet deep or more. The Harbour should also be spacious enough for ships to ride at anchor and to manoeuvre. Currents and tides must not be excessive.

Planning Harbours and Ports for transportation, reclamation, or conservancy has recently included modelling the Harbours, Ports, and surrounding areas to assist with future minor modifications or additions. These enable the design engineers to produce models that allow water flow to mimic the tidal and wave effects of the existing coastline system.

Various types of scientific data are required to design and model a Port and Harbour in a delta environment. It is noteworthy to mention that Fundamental Integrated Site Appraisal Services (FISAS) Limited, with its vast experience in integrated data acquisition in the dynamic and complex ecosystems of the Niger Delta, is a trusted partner for Port and Harbour design.

Some of the critical data requirements collected and interpreted by Fundamental Integrated Site Appraisal Services (FISAS) Limited  include:

• Bathymetric data are accurate depth soundings and bathymetric surveys to understand the seafloor topography.
• Hydrographic data includes water level, tide, and current to understand the tidal regime and flow patterns.
• Sediment transport data: Information on sediment types, transport rates, and deposition patterns.
• Geotechnical data consists of Soil and rock properties, strength, stability, and settlement characteristics.
• Environmental data include water quality, salinity, temperature, and other parameters to assess potential environmental impacts.
• Meteorological data comprise Wind, wave, and storm surge data to design for extreme weather conditions.
• Geological data provide information on local geology, including fault lines, subsidence, and seismic activity.
• Oceanographic and metocean data provide information on ocean currents, waves, and water levels that help us understand the marine environment.
• Ecological data includes information on marine life, habitats, and ecosystems to minimise environmental impacts.
• Our topographic data significantly contribute to accurately mapping the surrounding land and coastal areas.

These data are essential for designing a Port that can withstand the dynamic conditions of a delta environment, ensure safe navigation, and minimise environmental impacts. Fundamental Integrated Site Appraisal Services(FISAS) Limited, as a one-stop shop for collecting and interpreting this data, provides the necessary support in the form required by the design Engineers, ensuring an efficient and comprehensive process.vides the necessary support in the form required by the design Engineers, ensuring an efficient and comprehensive process.