I've scoured the rulebook, the FAQ, and Google for the answer to the question. This is my last option.

Ports and March Orders:

Example situation #1 - A sea area is occupied by enemy ships. The adjacent land area is controlled by friendly units. I place a march order in the land area. Can the friendly ship in the port march on the enemy-held sea area?

Example situation #2 - A port has two ships in it. The adjacent sea is empty. Do the ships in the port need a march order to move out of the port, and then another march to from said sea area to a different sea area? Or can the ships from the port through the empty sea area to another sea area?

Thanks for your help,

Ben Stark

BenStark said:

Rulebook: "Just as units in normal areas, Ship units in a Port area must
receive an Order token during the Assign Orders step of the
Planning Phase."

Ships in Port may not March without their own March order.

BenStark said:

Ships need a March order each time they move. They cannot move "through" an empty area.