CAPF AC 2020 Q69: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
Singapore is known as Port of Call because
- (a) it deals in the processing and shipping of oil
- (b) it is a deep water port built away from the actual port
- (c) it is on main sea route where ships use to anchor for refueling, watering and taking food items
- (d) it serves the parent ports by receiving the ships which are unable to approach due to their large size
Answer: (c) it is on main sea route where ships use to anchor for refueling, watering and taking food items
Explanation
Types of ports
How to think: a call is a short stop.
A port of call is where ships stop on the way to take fuel, water and food.
| Type of port | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Oil port | Processes and ships oil | Abadan, Tripoli |
| Port of call | On main sea routes; ships anchor for refuelling, watering and food | Singapore, Aden, Honolulu |
| Out port | Deep water port built away from the main port to take large ships | Piraeus for Athens |
| Entrepot port | Goods are collected from many countries for re-export | Singapore, Rotterdam |
| Packet station | Ferry port carrying passengers and mail over short distances | Dover |
The options matched:
| Option | It describes |
|---|---|
| (a) Processing and shipping of oil | An oil port |
| (b) Deep water port built away from the actual port | An out port |
| (c) On main sea route where ships anchor for refuelling, watering and food | A port of call |
| (d) Serves the parent port by receiving ships too large for it | An out port |
Answer: (c) it is on main sea route where ships use to anchor for refueling, watering and taking food items.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Dealing in oil makes a port an oil port.
- (b) Incorrect. A deep water port built away from the actual port is an out port.
- (c) CORRECT. A port of call is a stop on a main sea route for fuel, water and food.
- (d) Incorrect. Receiving ships too large for the parent port is the job of an out port.
Key point
Port of call: stop on a main sea route for fuel, water and food (Singapore, Aden, Honolulu). Out port: deep water port serving a parent port. Entrepot: collection for re-export.
Remember
Port of call = refuelling stop on a main sea route.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up port of call with entrepot; Singapore is both, but the meanings differ.
- Not seeing that options (b) and (d) describe the same type, the out port.
- Thinking a port of call is a ship's final destination.
Exam tip
Educated guess: two options describe the same kind of port, so neither can be the single answer.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII Geography — Fundamentals of Human Geography (International Trade: types of port)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Singapore