Planning of Water Transport Facilities:

Definition of Terms

In water transport system, a number of terms are used. It is necessary for a civil engineer to know the precise meaning of these terms.

Port

It is a facility where ships can berth and transfer cargo and sometimes passengers (only rarely in modern times).

Harbour

Harbour is a place where ships can be moored and sheltered from wind and waves.

Dock

Dock is an artificial enclosure for reception of ships.

Dry Dock

A dock which can be rendered dry after a ship enters for repairs.

Jettty

A structure projecting into the sea from the shore.

Wharf

A continuous structure, generally acting as a retaining wall, along the shore line of a sea or banks of a canal or river.

Transit Shed

A shed for temporarily storing cargo discharged from ships awaiting further transport by land, or cargo received from land transport and awaiting loading into ships.

Warehouse

A shed for storing cargo for longer period.