Patent ID: 8540459

Claim:
A structure for loading and unloading at least one fluid transport ship, the structure comprising a quay for mooring the ship, the quay comprising at least one concrete caisson equipped with closing and opening devices for moving the at least one caisson, by filling it with water, between a floating position, enabling transport of the quay, and a position anchored in the seabed, the at least one caisson comprising a submerged lower part of the at least one caisson for anchoring purposes and an upper part of the at least one caisson, configured to be partially out of the water, for berthing of the ship; wherein the lower part of the at least one caisson comprises at least one compartment equipped with the closing and opening devices; and each of the closing and opening devices includes a bottom plate of the compartment connected to a displacing device configured for displacing the bottom plate between a position of closing the compartment and a position of opening the compartment, the position of the bottom plate opening the compartment allowing water to enter into the compartment.