Several fundamental physical elements constitute a port facility:
- Harbor. A protected area, either naturally or through the construction of structures such as breakwaters, where port activities occur. Depth and navigation are strictly controlled. The inner harbor usually refers to the port area the furthest away from the entrance channel, which has the oldest and most central port facilities. Ports are characterized by a wide variety of harbors.
- Anchorage areas. A designated area where ships can anchor while waiting for an available berth. These areas are well-defined with buoys and with the ability to be serviced for stores and bunkering. Some anchorage areas can also be located within the harbor.
- Breakwaters. Permanent structures extending into the sea to protect the harbor against tides, currents, waves, wind, and storm surges.
- Navigation channels. Ship access channels dredged to allow ships to enter the harbor. They have a controlled depth, and movements are usually assisted by pilots and tug boats. Approach channels serve a similar role but refer to navigation taking place within the harbor.
- Turning basin. A circular area allowing for vessels, assisted by tug boats, to turn around and maneuver into the harbor. By design, a turn basin should be twice the length of the largest permitted vessel to call at the port.
- Berthing basin. A dredged area next to a berth that allows a ship to be moored according to stated specifications. Important to ensure that ships of specific capacity and length can safely berth. So, each berthing basin has a well-defined control depth requiring periodic maintenance.
- Berths (or docks). Docking structures with defined length and lateral capacity to support berthing and mooring operations.
- Wharves. One or more berths aligned parallel to the shore.
- Piers. Docking structures extending into the sea and that are extensions of the terminal facility. A pier can hold facilities such as storage sheds and warehouses.
- Jetties. Narrow docking structures extending into the sea and that serve the sole purpose of loading (unloading) cargo into ships. They are not direct extensions of terminal facilities.
- Dry docks. Basins that can be flooded and emptied and mainly used for the construction, maintenance, and repair of ships.
These physical elements are designed to support the core function of a port, which can be composed of a variety of terminals such as bulk, breakbulk, cruise, and container terminals, each connected to its own hinterland. Physical elements may not always be present depending on the physical characteristics of the port site. For instance, some ports may not require breakwaters as they may already be in protected areas or have low tides and currents.