<P> An entrepôt (English: / ˈɑːntrəpoʊ / French: (ɑ̃tʁəpo)) or transshipment port is a port, city, or trading post where merchandise may be imported, stored or traded, usually to be exported again . These commercial cities spawned due to the growth of long - distance trade . Such centers played a critical role in trade during the days of wind - powered shipping . In modern times customs areas have largely made such entrepôts obsolete, but the term is still used to refer to duty - free ports with a high volume of re-export trade . This type of port should not be confused with the modern French usage of the word entrepôt, meaning warehouse . </P> <P> Entrepôts were especially relevant in the Middle Ages and in the early modern period, when mercantile shipping flourished between Europe and its colonial empires in the Americas and Asia . For example, spice trade in Europe, coupled with the long trade routes necessary for their delivery, led to a much higher market price than the original buying price . Traders often did not want to travel the whole route, and thus used the entrepôts on the way to sell their goods . This could conceivably lead to more attractive profits for those who were suited to travel the entire route . The 17th - century Amsterdam Entrepôt provides an example of such an early - modern entrepôt . </P> <P> Examples of specific entrepôts at various periods include: </P> <Ul> <Li> Aden, Yemen </Li> <Li> Amsterdam, Netherlands </Li> <Li> Boma, Democratic Republic of the Congo </Li> <Li> Cap - Vert, Senegal </Li> <Li> Cape of Good Hope, South Africa </Li> <Li> Colón, Panama </Li> <Li> Constantinople / Istanbul, modern - day Turkey </Li> <Li> Dubai, UAE </Li> <Li> Fort Orange, (New Netherland), Albany, New York, US </Li> <Li> Hong Kong </Li> <Li> Macao </Li> <Li> Makassar, Indonesia </Li> <Li> Malacca City, Malaysia </Li> <Li> Manila, Philippines </Li> <Li> Naha, Ryūkyū Kingdom </Li> <Li> New Orleans, Louisiana, US </Li> <Li> Port of Keelung, Taiwan </Li> <Li> Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan </Li> <Li> Port Klang, Malaysia </Li> <Li> Kollam / Quilon, India </Li> <Li> Salalah, Oman </Li> <Li> Saint Paul, Minnesota, US </Li> <Li> Singapore </Li> <Li> Tangier, Morocco </Li> <Li> Tin Can Island Port, Nigeria </Li> <Li> Venice, Italy </Li> </Ul>

What city was able to establish itself as a major entrepots