Code of practice for planning and design of ports and harbours, Part 5: Layout and functional requirements
1980 Edition

According to IS 4651 Part 5, the width of navigation channels should consider several elements: the maneuvering lane width ranges between 1.8 to 2.0 times the beam of the largest vessel, bank clearances on each side vary from 0.75 to 1.5 times the vessel beam, and if the channel has two lanes, the passing clearance must be at least equal to the vessel beam. For berthing areas, the overall width is calculated by multiplying the number of vessels berthed side-by-side by 1.10 times the beam of the design vessel. Pier and wharf dimensions depend on vessel size, cargo handling needs, rail and truck traffic, crane operations, and mooring requirements, with reference to figures and appendices within the standard. Local environmental conditions such as wind, current, and tides must also be incorporated into the final design.

IS 4651 Part 5 recommends that berth widths be calculated by taking the number of vessels alongside and multiplying by 1.10 times the beam of the design vessel for multiple vessels. For a single vessel berth, the width should be at least 1.15 times the vessel beam plus the beam of any attendant craft. The swinging space required depends on the berth angle: 2 times the vessel length for 90°, 1.5 times for 45°, and 0.6 times for parallel berths. Additional considerations include ease of vessel maneuvering, availability of adequate quay length, alignment with harbour limits, foundation conditions for cost efficiency, and separation for safety when handling hazardous or noxious cargoes.

The standard emphasizes safety and segregation for hazardous cargo storage. Hazardous cargo sheds must be situated in isolated zones to minimize risks. The harbour basin layout should include separate basins on the lee side for bulk and noxious materials. Hazardous cargo wharves should be placed with sufficient safety distances, preferably at the outer ends of the harbour. Explosives and petroleum oil lubricant (POL) berths are to be located in isolated anchorages adhering to statutory regulations. Transit sheds handling such cargoes require separate compartments for dirty cargo types, lock fast rooms for secure goods, and dedicated customs and office facilities. Overall, isolation, compartmentalization, and compliance with safety norms are paramount.

The port railway system is designed to efficiently manage inbound and outbound rail traffic and integrates with the port layout through several components: exchange sidings or marshalling yards act as interfaces between mainline and port railways; classification yards divide trains into berth-specific wagons or assemble outgoing trains; sick or heavy repair lines enable inspection and maintenance of wagons, particularly bulk material ones; shunting locomotive sheds and fueling stations support locomotive operations; and automated wagon movement and control systems improve efficiency. Rail tracks align with arterial roads, usually situated behind berths to reduce interference, and transit sheds are positioned near berths to facilitate smooth cargo transfer between rail and storage.

IS 4651 Part 5 stipulates that warehouses and operational buildings should be constructed using non-combustible materials such as reinforced concrete, bricks, steel frameworks with corrugated iron or asbestos cladding. Structural steel must be encased in concrete, and floor slabs should have a minimum thickness of 12 cm. Fire compartmentalization is ensured by fire walls spaced every 100 meters or when floor areas exceed 4000 square meters in warehouses; piers require fire stops every 50 meters and fire walls every 150 meters. Automatic sprinkler systems are mandatory for warehouses exceeding 1000 square meters, with hydrants spaced approximately every 100 meters along quay and yard areas. Additional precautions include maintaining adequate pressurized water supplies, strategically placed fire extinguishers, accessible fire alarms, and proper electrical system maintenance. Separation of piers and storage zones by open spaces helps limit fire spread.