What is a Jetty?

Mangesh K
2 min readFeb 20, 2024

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Bulk Jetty Port of Sohar, 2011
Bulk Jetty Port of Sohar, 2011

A jetty is an artificial structure made of wood or stone that extends into the sea to protect a coastline from the influence of a current or tides.

Jetties are constructed in order to prevent natural coastlines from getting eroded, as currents and tides can gradually wash away a beach or other coastal features.

Jetties can be made from a variety of materials — including rock, concrete, steel or even a combination of materials. They are also commonly constructed to connect land with a deep area which is further away from the shore, to serve the purpose of docking ships and unloading cargo.

The key steps involved in a project involving the construction of a jetty include:

  1. Site selection and survey: The starting point for a jetty construction project involves choosing the right location after conducting a survey.
  2. Design: Basis the site selected, the engineers and architects design the jetty keeping in mind the intended use.
  3. Permissions: All the necessary permissions required for the construction of the jetty are taken.
  4. Excavation and dredging: The sea floor is then excavated and dredged to provide a sturdy foundation.
  5. Piling: Piles are driven into the sea floor to create a strong foundation.
  6. Deck construction: The deck of the jetty is constructed next along with any additional structures like ramps or walkaways.

Common materials used in jetty construction include rocks, concrete, steel, and timber. The selection of material depends on various factors like the site conditions, the expected load, and the local environment.

How these materials affect the construction of a jetty can be understood below:

  • Rocks: Rocks occur naturally and provide a durable and long-lasting option for constructing a jetty. Rocks such as granite or limestone are suitable for larger jetty projects.
  • Steel: Steel serves as a durable choice that responds well even in corrosive environments.
  • Concrete: Concrete provides a suitable manmade alternative for smaller projects, as well as maintenance and repair work of existing projects
  • Timber: Timber serves as an inexpensive alternative that is easy to work with except for areas that experience strong waves and corrosive environments
  • Recycled materials: Certain jetties are also constructed using recycled materials such as tires, plastic bottles and debris

Hence, the choice of materials used in the construction of a jetty significantly impacts the overall quality of the jetty.

Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate played a key role in the construction of 3 jetties namely:

Oil jetty in Mauritius, refinery jetty in Jamnagar and LNG jetty — marine facility in Kochi.

To know more about our projects visit — https://www.shapoorjipallonji.com/company/AfconsInfrastructure.

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