Ports & Waterways

Ports and waterway terminals see it all. Bulk materials such as salt, sand, fertilizer, grain crops, animal feed, and DDGS. Break bulk items and containerized shipments. Your facility may serve as a trans-loading and transportation hub, but interim storage is frequently part of that process. In some cases, terminals serve product-specific needs such as fertilizer sorting and blending.

Working on the waterfront presents some significant challenges that become key considerations in building design. Moisture leakage from outside and condensation that forms indoors can wreak havoc on products in storage and the building itself. Corrosion is a constant threat, from ongoing exposure to salt, fertilizer, or other caustic materials in storage and also from environmental conditions such as high humidity or salty coastal air.

You need sufficient storage capacity, but also enough space to assure safe, efficient maneuverability for trucks and loaders. For long-term value, the building should provide flexibility to accommodate growth. Costs (upfront and operations) are always a factor, for public port authorities and private operators. And, sometimes, you need an expedited solution.

Steel buildings are notoriously vulnerable to moisture intrusion and corrosion problems, and repairs and maintenance are expensive. Legacy fabric buildings offer outstanding strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. They are engineered to meet all applicable safety and environmental requirements and building codes including NFPA 303 regulations for marinas and boatyards.

Solid steel framing and our ExxoTec™ fabric assure lightweight design without sacrificing structural strength or durability, no matter the climate. Our buildings are proven to stand up to predictable and unpredicted weather extremes including high winds and hurricanes, snow, and seismic loads.

Our EpoxxiShield^™ epoxy coatings provide superior, long-lasting corrosion protection for our framing, and our fabric is impervious to corrosion.

Every Legacy building is 100% custom-designed based on your operational needs, location, and desired features:

• Clear span construction meets any specs for length, width, and peak height
• Can accommodate hanging loads such as fire suppression systems, conveyors, and cranes
• Straight sidewalls maximize storage capacity and make it much easier for equipment to maneuver down aisles and into every corner
• Any number/size door openings can be added for easy, efficient access for trucks, loaders, dockside cranes, etc.
• Minimal maintenance increases building life and ROI

Watercraft are designed to operate in the elements, but protecting them under cover whenever possible prolongs their life and helps prevent costly maintenance and repairs. Where winter weather is harsh, proper shelter is essential.

Legacy fabric buildings have become a popular choice for boatyards and coastal, river, or lakeside marinas and yacht clubs. That’s because they can be so much more than a boathouse, creating efficient and comfortable working space that shelters workers as well as boats.

Uninsulated, our white fabric allows enough natural light to enter through the roof and walls for daytime work without artificial lighting. That reduces ongoing maintenance and energy costs. The fabric is non-thermally conductive, so interior temperatures remain cooler in summer and warmer in winter. However, insulation and an interior liner can be added for even greater climate control. 

Our fabric buildings look like conventional construction, with a quality, welcome appearance that can be branded with colors, logos, and more

Looking for the ideal structure to house vehicles and equipment, a maintenance shop, or other business-related activities? Our buildings are ideal for these purposes, too. They can stand alone, be attached to an existing brick-and-mortar building, or be combined with a warehouse facility.