simple:Harbor A harbor (or harbour in international usage) is a place where ships may shelter. Often it is used as a synonym for port: a coastal or riverine facility where ships can load and unload. The port will typically consist of a water space enclosed by wave breakers, a number of quays or piers where the ships may be moored, magazine buildings for storage of goods and a transport system for relaying goods inland. Typically railway and road transport will be utilized. Additional possibilities are pipeline transport and further ship transport with smaller ships.
During the D-Day operations of 1944, two artificial harbors (codenamed Mulberry) were built just off the invasion beaches.
Ice-free harbors
For harbors near the poless, being ice-free is an important advantage, ideally all-year round. Examples are Murmansk (Russia), Petsamo (Russia, formerly Finland), Vardø, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia (Canada).
