Legal Definitions - port of departure

The port of departure refers to the specific port or harbor from which a vessel officially begins its journey or voyage. This is the location where a ship, boat, or other watercraft is cleared to leave, often after completing necessary customs, immigration, or cargo loading procedures. It marks the starting point for legal and logistical purposes related to the vessel's trip, such as determining jurisdiction, contractual obligations, or the start of a shipping route.

• Example 1 (Commercial Shipping): A large container ship, the Pacific Voyager, is loaded with thousands of tons of consumer goods in Hong Kong, destined for Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Before it can set sail, the ship must complete all necessary customs declarations, receive final clearance from the port authorities, and ensure all cargo manifests are in order. Once these procedures are finalized and the ship leaves the dock, Hong Kong is considered its port of departure for that specific journey.

• Example 2 (Cruise Travel): A family boards the Caribbean Dreamer cruise ship in Barcelona, Spain, for a ten-day Mediterranean cruise. All passengers embark, luggage is loaded, and the ship undergoes final safety checks and receives clearance from Spanish maritime authorities before it departs. For this particular vacation voyage, Barcelona serves as the port of departure.

• Example 3 (Private Yacht): A private yacht owner plans to sail their vessel, the Sea Breeze, from Sydney, Australia, across the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, USA. Before embarking on such a long international journey, the owner must clear customs, obtain necessary permits, and file a sailing plan with the Australian port authorities in Sydney. Once all these requirements are met and the yacht leaves the harbor, Sydney is its port of departure for the trans-Pacific trip.