Container Depot: Its Function and Layout
Container depots play a significant role in sea-based transportation’s smooth and efficient functioning. Cargo ships transfer many maritime containers filled with goods from one place to another and drop them off at different ports and terminals. Now, this is where the container port comes into the picture. They are mostly near ports to temporarily store cargo containers for further shipping. Container depots have increased with the surge in intercontinental e-commerce.
What is a container depot?
It is a storage facility for keeping shipping containers after unloading. The shipping container companies, shipping lines, and logistics companies stack their metal shipping containers in these storage facilities for storage and security purposes. In the container depot, the cargo to be exported is packed and shipped, and the imported shipment is unpacked and distributed.
Functions of a container depot
Container deports not just acts as a storage facilities to store empty containers but serve multiple purposes to ensure a smooth flow of commerce among countries and ports.
Given below are some of the common uses of a container depot.
Freight consolidation
The depots help with freight consolidation. The term consolidation means many small shipments will be combined to make one big container shipment. The shippers bring their cargo to the depot and then get it packed and shipped, and if there is any loaded cargo, it is unpacked and distributed.
Administration and documentation
Depots are also accountable for performing documentation. These functions include communication with the shipping company, loading and unloading cargo, and maintaining statistics of the entire shipment. Besides this, cargo depots are also responsible for managing the receipt, dispatching, and delivery of freight.
Custom Clearance
Cargo depots handle all the processes related to customs clearance. This facility makes it easier for cargo owners to ship their goods quickly and helps them save much of their precious time.
Cleaning facility
They offer facilities to regularly clean and fumigate steel shipping containers. It prevents the risk of mould or organisms entering and breeding in the cargo units. Shipping boxes are periodically checked and maintained to keep the contamination at bay and ensure they are ready for long sea voyages.
Maintenance
Another essential function of the cargo depot is the maintenance and repair of damaged cargo. Sometimes, due to unexpected events, lashing becomes loose and misplaces the goods inside the freight units. This further results in minor or significant dents in the unit. Instead of sending the maritime shipping container back to its owner, it can be repaired at a nominal price at the depot itself.
Reefer storage facility
Reefers are in use for transporting perishable goods. These containers require temperature sensitive environment to prevent goods from deterioration. The container depot also provides a temporary refrigerated area to store goods.
Trailer service
Trailers come in handy for unloading the goods. However, when the depot offer picks up from the warehouse, the shipping enterprise no longer ought to pay for the additional services of the trailer.
Haulage service
The depots also assist in arranging the haulage services. Haulage services refer to freight transportation from depots with the aid of intermodal transportation like rail or road transport. Operating Out of Gauge (OOG) goods facility is also provided at some depots.
Container depot layout
They are responsible for storing hundreds of empty boxes; therefore, the layout must have proper planning. The standardized design of a container depot is essential for providing safety and storage facilities. The subdivision consists of the yard, landside and seaside layouts. And has two lanes, named the driving lane and the transport lane.
Usually, maximum depots have massive barriers with points of access and exit. A few depots have centres for drug testing and other illegal materials. These centres are beneficial in preventing illicit smuggling activities.
Most metal cargo containers are piled high in the air within the boundary. Using straddle carriers or giant spreader cranes capable of lifting boxes to enormous heights and stacking them appropriately.
Container depots also have custom offices that handle the loading-unloading process and regular inspection. The extensive road and rail networks connect the depot for easy and faster cargo transportation.
Container depots have a significant role in the efficient functioning of overall world trade. They serve as an interim storage facility and perform many other functions, such as freight consolidation, maintenance, custom clearance, etc. The standard layout and design of the depot help to carry out the sea transport operations smoothly.
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