A Container Yard (CY) is a place inside or near a port where shipping containers are placed and handled before the transportation and also after they come back. It works as a holding area for containers that are full (FCL) and ready for export.
Container yards carry out tasks like stacking containers and coordinating with customs and shipping lines. Exporters and importers use them to drop or collect full container shipments.
How It Works:
- Containers arrive at the port and are stored in the yard.
- They are organized based on destination and shipping schedules.
- Containers are loaded onto vessels when scheduled.
- At the destination, containers are unloaded and stored in the CY.
- Importers collect containers from the yard.
Benefits:
- Facilitates efficient container storage and movement
- Supports smooth port operations
- Reduces congestion and delays
- Ensures better shipment tracking and handling
Example:
An Indian exporter books an FCL shipment and delivers a full container to the container yard at the port. The yard holds it there until it gets loaded on the vessel for export.