TM 5-850-1
CHAPTER 2
PORT SITE SELECTION
2-1. Basic port site selection considerations.
Breakwaters may be extended into deep water. The
minimum and maximum area requirements shall be
Unless the site is determined by military considerations,
estimated in order to properly evaluate a proposed location.
several locations of the harbor shall be studied to
This requires estimating the capacity requirements, from
determine the most protected locations involving the
which the area requirements for the anchorage, berthing,
relatively low dredging cost and with the most favorable
and other areas may be approximated.
bottom conditions, as well as a shore area suitable for
the development of the terminal facilities. Generally,
(1) Capacity requirements.
Ascertain the
three distinct situations may result:
approximate, anticipated capacity requirements from the
a. A natural setting along a shoreline, such as a
using agency, in terms of numbers, types, and sizes of
vessels to be simultaneously anchored or moored within the
bay, lagoon, or estuary, that would provide suitable
harbor limits. Also, estimate the number of these vessels
protection.
that must be simultaneously accommodated at pier or
b. A setting where natural barriers to the seaward
wharf berths.
(2) Anchorage areas.
side of port locations, such as land arms, reefs, spits,
tombolos, and islands, are inadequate for protective
(a) Free-swinging moorings and standard
purposes but have been modified by engineering
fleet moorings. The diameter of the swing circle and the
methods to increase protection capabilities.
area requirements per vessel are presented in tables 2-1,
c. A setting where the port location is not provided
maneuvering vessels into and out of berths and for other
natural protection by seaward barriers, and where
space requirements necessary between adjacent berths.
artificial protective measures, such as the construction
(b) Alternate method. Requirements may
of breakwaters and jetties are required.
The
also be approximated by comparison with areas provided in
construction of artificial protective devices is time-
existing ports serving similar functions.
consuming and should be avoided in military port
(3) Berthing area. See chapter 6 for the areas
construction when alternate locations are available.
Such requirements, however, could represent one of the
required for piers.
(4) Other areas. Allow additional area within the
principal criteria in the evaluation of port site locations.
The port facility should additionally be adequate to
harbor limits for channels, special berths, turning basins,
handle the volume of shipping required to sustain the
and other facilities.
theater activity and to accommodate the vessels that
(5) Total area requirements. Provide a total area
will transport the required cargo.
inboard of breakwaters equal to the sum of the overall
requirements set forth in b above.
2-2. Factors affecting site selection.
(a) Generally, the total area should be
available within the 50-foot depth contour to avoid
a. Access.
breakwater construction in water of excessive depth.
Direct access or connection with
(b) The area requirement can be considered
existing means of internal communication and
in conjunction with the depth requirements to select a site
dispersion, such as rivers, highways, canals, or railways,
requiring a relatively low dredging cost.
is a major factor in the location of the port. Where the
(c) In addition to the area requirements for
topography at sites contiguous to inland communication
anchorage areas, berthing areas, and other areas, space
facilities is adverse, the costs of providing connection to
must be provided for future expansion and dispersion,
such facilities against the savings in development costs
where required for military considerations.
at remote sites should be investigated.
b. Water area.
Adequate water area to
c. Water depth. Generally, the harbor area is of
accommodate expected traffic should be available.
varying depth. Certain areas are set aside for small craft
Where there is inadequate area for free-swinging
and other areas for larger ships. Provision for adequate
moorings, vessels may be crowded in by using fixed
water depth is essential to the functions of the port
moorings or moorings in which a vessel's swing is
installation.
restricted. Berths and other facilities may be dredged
from inshore areas.
2-1
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