quays

Quays are man-made platforms built along shores, rivers, or harbors to provide a stable surface for docking, loading, and unloading ships, as well as for mooring. The term derives from the French quai, meaning a platform or wharf.

Typically, a quay comprises a quay wall or embankment facing the water, often constructed from stone, brick, or concrete, with a deck or promenade behind it. The structure is designed to resist waves and tides and to bear heavy loads from cargo handling, cranes, and vehicles. Mooring facilities such as bollards, cleats, and capstans are installed along the quay, and access can be via ramps, steps, or gangways. Some quays include slipways, railway tracks, or cranes to move goods from ships to inland facilities.

Quays support a range of activities, including commercial cargo handling, passenger services, fishing, and urban recreation when integrated with promenades and public spaces. They are usually connected to hinterland transport networks, such as roads or rail lines.

Terminology varies by region. In British usage, a quay is a waterfront platform for loading; a wharf is a structure with a deck for handling cargo; a pier is a structure extending into the water; a dock is a basin or harbour enclosure.

In contemporary ports, quays are often part of larger waterfront developments that combine maritime functions with flood protection and public spaces.