Standard Container Port	Emerging Paradigm
Berthing depth	12 to 15 meters (40 to 50 feet)	More than 15 meters (50 feet)
Stacking density	1,000 to 1,200 TEUs per hectare	2,000 to 4,000 TEUs per hectare
Ship-to-shore gantry crane (portainer) productivity	About 30 movements per hour	About 50 movements per hour
Dwell time at container yard	About 6 days	About 3 days
Truck turnaround time	About 60 minutes	About 30 minutes
Rail access	In port area	On dock

Source: adapted from M.C. Ircha (2006) Characteristics of Tomorrow�s Successful Port, The AIMS Atlantica Papers #4, Atlantic Institute of Market Studies, http://www.aims.ca/library/Ircha.pdf.

Technical Changes in Container Port Terminals

With the growth of traffic and economies of scale applied to maritime shipping, port terminals are facing pressures to improve their productivity and efficiency. A standard container port accommodating panamax and post-panamax containerships has a set of technical characteristics related to berthing depth, stacking density, crane productivity, dwell time, truck turnaround time and accessibility to rail services. A new generation of container port terminals is gradually coming online with significant improvements. This involves new infrastructures, equipment and procedures. It is also a matter of competitiveness, both on the maritime and inland sides since port terminals are competing with other port terminals to service continental hinterlands.