Laadkades

Laadkades is a Dutch term referring to a quay or section of quay used for loading and unloading cargo from ships, barges, and other vessels. They form a key part of port infrastructure, providing the waterborne–land interface where goods are transferred between maritime or river transport and inland logistics. A laadkade can be a general open quay or a specialized facility such as a container quay, bulk-loading quay, or Ro-Ro quay, each tailored to the cargo type and vessel size.

Typical features include mooring facilities, fenders, bollards, water depth, and access to handling equipment. The choice of equipment depends on cargo: container quays use gantry cranes and container handling gear; bulk quays may employ grabs, conveyors, or dumping systems; general cargo quays rely on forklifts, masts, and small cranes. Operations involve vessel berthing, securing lines, cargo transfer with appropriate machinery, weight verification, and documentation, often coordinated through port management systems.

Design considerations address vessel dimensions, minimum water depth, tidal ranges, dredging needs, and proximity to yards, rail, and road connections. Safety and environmental controls are essential, including spill response readiness, dust or noise management for certain cargos, and adherence to port authority and national regulations. The term beslut mainly describes the functional edge of a port where loading and unloading occur; local practice may differentiate between laadkades, kades, or other quay types, but all serve the same overarching purpose of enabling efficient cargo handling at the waterfront.