Terminals
Freight terminal operations for cargo handling, intermodal transfer, container management, and customs processing.
Terminal Operations
Complete terminal management:
- Terminal Registration - Configure freight terminals and facilities
- Cargo Operations - Loading, unloading, handling operations
- Intermodal Transfer - Rail, sea, road cargo transfer
- Container Management - Container tracking and positioning
- Customs Integration - Customs clearance and documentation
- Performance Tracking - Throughput and efficiency metrics
Terminal Types: Container terminals, rail terminals, intermodal facilities, freight stations
Overview
Terminal management handles freight terminal operations including cargo handling, intermodal transfers, container tracking, and customs processing. Optimize terminal efficiency for maximum throughput and minimal dwell time.
Who Uses Terminal Management?
Freight Forwarders
- International shipping
- Customs clearance
- Container management
- Multi-modal coordination
Port Operators
- Container terminal operations
- Ship-to-shore transfers
- Storage yard management
- Rail/truck connections
Rail Operators
- Intermodal terminals
- Container transfers
- Yard management
- Track utilization
3PL Providers
- Cross-border logistics
- Customs brokerage
- Freight consolidation
- Terminal services
Terminal Types
Container Terminals
Port facilities for container handling.
Characteristics:
- Ship-to-shore cranes
- Container yard storage
- Rail/truck connections
- High-volume operations
Use Cases:
- Ocean freight import/export
- International shipping
- Container storage
- Transshipment
Rail Terminals
Intermodal rail facilities.
Characteristics:
- Rail track access
- Container loading/unloading
- Truck-to-rail transfer
- Yard storage
Use Cases:
- Long-haul freight
- Intermodal shipping
- Domestic freight
- Network distribution
Freight Stations
General cargo handling facilities.
Characteristics:
- Break-bulk operations
- LTL/FTL handling
- Storage capacity
- Cross-dock capability
Use Cases:
- Regional freight
- LTL consolidation
- Distribution services
- Warehousing
Intermodal Facilities
Multi-modal transfer terminals.
Characteristics:
- Multiple transport modes
- Container transfers
- Customs facilities
- Storage yards
Use Cases:
- Rail-to-truck transfer
- Sea-to-rail transfer
- International logistics
- Supply chain hubs
Core Capabilities
Terminal Registration
Configure terminal facilities with zones and capabilities.
Terminal Configuration:
- Location and access routes
- Operating hours and gates
- Handling capacity (TEU per day)
- Equipment (cranes, forklifts, reach stackers)
- Storage capacity and zones
- Rail/truck dock assignments
Cargo Operations
Loading, unloading, and handling operations.
Operations:
- Container loading/unloading
- Cargo inspection
- Weight verification
- Damage assessment
- Documentation processing
- Storage assignment
Equipment:
- Ship-to-shore cranes
- Gantry cranes
- Reach stackers
- Forklifts
- Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
Intermodal Transfer
Transfer cargo between transport modes.
Transfer Types:
- Ship-to-rail
- Ship-to-truck
- Rail-to-truck
- Truck-to-truck (cross-dock)
Transfer Process:
- Inbound mode arrives
- Unload cargo/containers
- Inspection and verification
- Transfer to outbound mode
- Load and secure
- Documentation and departure
Container Management
Track and manage container inventory.
Container Tracking:
- Container number and type
- Location in yard
- Status (empty, loaded, damaged)
- Dwell time tracking
- Move history
Yard Management:
- Container positioning
- Stacking strategies
- Retrieval optimization
- Space utilization
Customs Integration
Customs clearance and documentation.
Customs Operations:
- Import/export documentation
- Duty calculation
- Inspection coordination
- Release authorization
- Compliance tracking
Documentation:
- Bills of lading
- Commercial invoices
- Packing lists
- Customs declarations
- Certificates of origin
Performance Tracking
Monitor terminal efficiency and throughput.
Key Metrics:
- Container moves per hour
- Average dwell time
- Truck turnaround time
- Rail car processing time
- Crane productivity
- Yard utilization
Terminal Operations
Inbound Processing
Receive incoming cargo.
Inbound Workflow:
- Vessel/train/truck arrival
- Gate check-in
- Unloading assignment
- Cargo discharge
- Inspection and documentation
- Yard storage assignment
- Update inventory
Storage Management
Organize terminal yard and storage.
Storage Zones:
- Import container yard
- Export container yard
- Empty container depot
- Reefer (refrigerated) area
- Hazmat storage
- Overflow area
Optimization:
- First-in-first-out (FIFO)
- By destination grouping
- By customer segregation
- By cargo type
Outbound Processing
Load cargo for departure.
Outbound Workflow:
- Retrieval from storage
- Customs clearance verification
- Loading assignment
- Cargo loading
- Weight verification
- Documentation finalization
- Gate checkout
Customs Clearance
Process customs requirements.
Clearance Steps:
- Submit documentation
- Customs review
- Duty/tax calculation
- Payment processing
- Inspection (if required)
- Release authorization
- Cargo available for pickup
Use Cases
Port Container Terminal
Scenario: Major container port handling 1M TEU annually
Operations:
- 4 berths, 8 ship-to-shore cranes
- 100-acre container yard
- On-dock rail facility
- 24/7 operations
Workflow:
- Vessel arrives and docks
- Cranes unload containers
- Automated yard trucks transport to storage
- Customs processing
- Containers released to truck/rail
- Export containers loaded for outbound vessels
Key Metrics:
- 35 container moves per crane per hour
- 3.5 day average dwell time
- 98% customs compliance
- 45-minute average truck turn time
Intermodal Rail Terminal
Scenario: Rail terminal with truck-to-rail transfer
Operations:
- Double-stack rail loading
- Container yard storage
- Truck-to-rail transfers
- Regional distribution hub
Workflow:
- Containers arrive by truck
- Check-in and inspection
- Yard storage
- Rail loading scheduling
- Transfer to rail cars
- Depart on long-haul trains
Benefits:
- 60% cost reduction vs all-truck
- Environmental benefits
- High-capacity transport
- Network efficiency
Customs Bonded Warehouse
Scenario: Terminal with customs facilities
Operations:
- Import processing
- Customs inspections
- Duty deferral storage
- Re-export capability
Features:
- Secure bonded area
- Customs officer on-site
- Document processing
- Duty payment systems
Key Benefits
Operational Efficiency
Automation:
- Automated yard equipment
- Optical character recognition (OCR)
- Automated gate systems
- Real-time tracking
Optimization:
- Yard space utilization
- Equipment scheduling
- Labor allocation
- Throughput maximization
Cost Reduction
Efficiency Gains:
- Faster cargo handling
- Reduced dwell time
- Lower storage costs
- Optimized labor
Scale Economics:
- High-volume handling
- Shared infrastructure
- Consolidated operations
- Network effects
Compliance & Security
Customs Compliance:
- Accurate documentation
- Timely processing
- Regulatory adherence
- Audit trails
Security:
- Access control
- Cargo screening
- Video surveillance
- 24/7 monitoring
Terminal Performance Metrics
Throughput Metrics
Volume:
- Total TEU handled
- Containers per day
- Vessel calls
- Train/truck volume
Speed:
- Crane moves per hour
- Vessel turnaround time
- Truck turn time
- Rail car processing time
Efficiency Metrics
Productivity:
- Containers per crane hour
- Containers per yard acre
- Labor productivity
- Equipment utilization
Quality:
- Damage rate
- Error rate
- Customs rejection rate
- Customer satisfaction
Financial Metrics
Revenue:
- Handling fees
- Storage fees
- Customs processing fees
- Value-added services
Costs:
- Labor costs per move
- Equipment costs
- Maintenance costs
- Facility overhead
Integration Patterns
Port Community Systems
Connect with port management platforms.
Customs Systems
Integrate with customs authorities.
Terminal Operating Systems
Link with TOS platforms.
API Reference
For detailed API documentation including endpoints, schemas, and examples:
Next Steps
Related LSP Services:
- Hubs & Sortation - Distribution hubs
- Warehouses - Storage facilities
- Shipment Tracking - Track cargo