Determining container terminal capacity on the basis of an adopted yard handling system

A comparison of container‐handling capacity on the basis of different handling systems, yard sizes and crane characteristics is presented. The layout of container terminals in the Taiwan ports is first examined based on discussions with experts from different consultant companies. A useful general equation is then derived and proposed to calculate the total number of 20‐foot container ground slots (TGS), or the area requirement per TGS, for different yard sizes with different handling systems based on different equipment dimensions. The area requirement per TGS is 32.1–35.1 m2/TEU, 35.4–43.3 m2/TEU and 32.9–41.2 m2/TEU, respectively, for straddle carriers system, rubber‐tyred gantry cranes system and rail‐mounted gantry cranes system. Factors like the dimensional characteristics of handling equipment, the container transhipment ratio and the average container dwell times in the container yard were incorporated into the above‐mentioned formula to compute the annual container‐handling capacities. Such analysis can be very useful for container terminal planning with regards to the selection of handling technology, site location or proposed service expansions.