Permeable coating is one of the ideal coatings to improve the concrete durability in view of balancing concrete’s “breathing” ability and the effect of water-proof.Three indicators of capillary absorptivity,chloride ion flux and chloride diffusion depth were used to test and estimate the effect of the permeable coating of a high-pile wharf,on the upper structures of which the permeable coating was applied.Results show that after the permeable coating is applied on the upper structures,the capillary absorptivity of the specimens is decreased by 90%,chloride ion flux is reduced to a level that is extremely low and could be even ignored,and chloride diffusion depth is decreased by over 60%.Therefore,a conclusion can be drawn that the permeable coating can enhance the durability of upper structures of high-pile wharves significantly.