The stacking quandary
Yard planning experts have contrasting opinions on what to do with containers as they are being discharged from the ship. Some argue it is better to move recently discharged boxes to their final positions in the stacking yard immediately, while others disagree stating that temporary stacks should be created close to the quayside, where all incoming boxes can be rapidly placed,with any necessary housekeeping carried out later.
This has been achieved despite the fact that all incoming boxes are immediately categorised and placed in their definitive stacking positions. Although this can slow down the discharge process, it does speed up despatch, which is seen as vital in a terminal whereby 42% of total traffic is transhipped and where space is at a premium. Indeed, the overall lack of space would make it difficult to make use of a temporary stacking layout.
In contrast, larger transhipment terminals, where space is more readily available, can often boost productivity by setting up temporary stacks into which boxes can be decanted as soon as they are discharged.This allows vessels to turnaround much faster, thereby relieving pressure on the quay, with the temporary stack disassembled later as more yard equipment becomes available during off-peak periods.
