Question 1

Is PortServiceFinder free for vessel operators?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely free. There is no subscription, no signup, no paywall. Search any port worldwide and contact any provider — always free for vessel operators, ship managers, captains, and shipping companies.

Question 2

How do I contact a provider after I find them?

Accepted Answer

Click on any provider listing to see their full contact details — phone, email, WhatsApp, and website. Communication happens directly between you and the provider. We never sit in the middle, take a commission, or filter messages.

Question 3

How are providers verified?

Accepted Answer

Every provider on the platform goes through our manual verification process. We check business registration, contact details, port operations, and reputation. Verified providers display the green "Verified" badge. Note: verification confirms legitimacy, not an endorsement of service quality.

Question 4

What if no provider is listed at my port?

Accepted Answer

Our smart fallback shows other providers from the same country. We are actively expanding our database — if your specific port is not covered yet, you can also contact us and we will prioritise outreach to providers at that port.

Question 5

How much does it cost to list my business?

Accepted Answer

There are two simple plans: $99 per month or $1,000 per year (saves $188 versus monthly). Both plans include a 1-month free trial after we verify your details. No commission is ever taken from any deal you make through the platform.

Question 6

How long is the free trial?

Accepted Answer

One full month, starting the day we verify your business details. You will not be charged during this period and you can cancel any time before the trial ends with no fees.

Question 7

What does "Founding Members" mean?

Accepted Answer

Founding Members are the first wave of providers who join while we build the platform. Currently, founding member applications are reviewed individually and may receive extended trial periods or other benefits. Apply through the registration form to be considered.

Question 8

What happens if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel any time from your account or by emailing us. If you cancel during the free trial, you owe nothing. If you cancel during a paid month, your listing stays active until the end of the current billing period. We do not pro-rate refunds for partial months.

Question 9

How do I get the Verified Badge?

Accepted Answer

During the application process, our team reviews your business registration, contact information, and operations at the ports you list. Verification usually takes 24-48 hours. Once approved, your listing displays a green "Verified" badge to vessel operators.

Question 10

Can I list at multiple ports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each listing can cover up to 3 ports under one subscription. If you serve more ports, contact us and we will work out a custom arrangement.

Question 11

When am I charged?

Accepted Answer

You are not charged when you submit your application. Charging only begins after we verify your business and your 1-month free trial ends. You will receive a notification before any charge is made.

Question 12

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Currently we accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). We are working on additional payment options including bank transfer for annual subscriptions.

Question 13

Can I switch between monthly and annual?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can upgrade from monthly to annual any time and we will apply a pro-rated credit. Downgrading from annual to monthly happens at the end of your current annual period.

Question 14

Is my payment information secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Payment processing is handled through industry-standard secure payment processors. We never store full card details on our servers — only the last 4 digits for your reference.

Question 15

Who runs PortServiceFinder?

Accepted Answer

PortServiceFinder is operated by maritime industry professionals with years of operational experience across global shipping routes. We built this platform because we lived the problem ourselves — finding reliable port services at unfamiliar ports was inefficient and opaque. We are based in Istanbul, Turkey and serve ports worldwide.

Question 16

Where are you based?

Accepted Answer

Our base of operations is Istanbul, Turkey — one of the world's most strategic maritime crossroads. From here we serve providers and vessel operators across 150+ countries and 1,200+ ports.

Question 17

How is PortServiceFinder different from other maritime directories?

Accepted Answer

Three things make us different: (1) we are free for vessel operators forever, with no signup or paywall; (2) we never take commission from deals — providers pay a flat subscription only; (3) the platform is built by people who have actually worked in maritime operations, not by outsiders who only see the industry from spreadsheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Vessel Operators

For Service Providers

Payments & Billing

General

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