A container terminal can be understood as composed of several subsystems, with physical connection and information networks of land and sea transport system.

Terminal subsystems are:

Loading and unloading subsystem. The maritime gateway;
Storage subsystem. The courtyard of the terminal;
Receipt and delivery subsystem. The road and ground rail doors (sometimes not available);
Interconnection subsystem.

Apart from these subsystems have to consider whether to locate and where to do it, these other services:

Container freight station (CFS). This is the area dedicated to serving LCL traffic.
Areas of customs inspection and customs.

Other things to consider:

The location of refrigerated containers
The attention to dangerous goods

Storage subsystem

This subsystem can be classified according to the equipment employed.

Storage on platforms

The blocks are arranged parallel to the dock.
The block is usually formed by two rows of platforms with their backs together.
A typical length of block may be equivalent to a docking.

Storage by forklifts

The block is usually formed by two rows of container houses, so that the truck can access the containers by their side or at the top; and stacking 2 or 3 heights.

The blocks are available: parallel or perpendicular to the dock to it. This decision together with the other dimensions are taken to adapt to the measures available to the possibilities of the trucks, and the optimization of space and movements performed (of trucks and means of interconnection).

Storage by straddle carrier

The shape of the SC forces have separate containers stacked in rows 1.2 to 1.5 m, sufficient distance for the driver parade with their feet by the hole SC.

The SC introduced and removed containers passing blocks above the rest, so the last stack level must be unobstructed.

The SC classic stacked on two levels (2 + 1), but today are very frequent three (3 + 1) levels, indicating the last ‘+1’ which is the level overpass.

Regarding the wharf line, the orientation of the rows can be done in two ways:

Parallel to it: the SC enters the row of a circular motion perpendicular streets;
Perpendicular: This spring arrangement in relation patio- the SC enters and exits the row which came back down, describing a kind of pendulum.
What corresponds to optimizing movements, perpendicular arrangement is better, but is far more prone to accidents, so it appears that most courts are organized in rows parallel to the dock.

Storage by Rubber Tyred Gantry crane (RTG)

The RTG organizes elongated rectangular blocks, of which the most common sizes are:

Length: length similar to the length of the vessel type;
Width: 6 Container + 1 to circulate through interconnection (sometimes the lane for interconnection is external, which forces the RTG is much wider, because the container must come and go between the two frames);
High: 3A5 + 1. But there are some major measures RTGs.

Storage by Rail Mounted Gantry crane (RMG)

Circular rail allows maximum stack (3, 4, 5 and up to 8 +1), and width (up to 20), therefore the system is maximization of surface, and also the one with the maximum removals – useless-for effective movement.
The blocks are rectangular and very long.
Communication with the interconnecting means is made

Well arranging road or on the sides of the blocks by RMG exterior overhangs, or providing a good road in the center of the block

Container terminals (ii). Storage systems.