Quay

A quay is a solid masonry, concrete, or sheet-piled berthing structure built parallel to and along the shore, with deep water on its face so ships lie alongside to load and discharge over its full length. It differs from a jetty or pier, which projects out from the shore, and from a wharf, often used as a synonym but historically a timber or open-piled structure. The quay wall retains the reclaimed fill behind it and carries the apron, crane rails, bollards, and fenders. Quayside depth and bollard pull set the size of ship it can take.