USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Legacy Publication

Legacy ID
1011
Show Effective Date
On
Significant Regulatory Guidance
No

Crane Moves per Hour

Graphic Version

Crane moves per hour as a terminal efficiency metric poses methodological and data collection challenges.

“Cranes moves” may include handling hatch covers and restowing containers as well as movement of imports and exports “Hours...

Vessel Dwell Time

Graphic Version

Vessel dwell time is a function of:

The number of containers or tonnage to be loaded and unloaded Terminal resources available (e.g. cranes per berth and vessel) The efficiency with which those resources are employed

Vessel dwell time is not...

TEU per CY Acre

Graphic Version

Stacked container yard with chassis pool means:

Higher storage density with CY lift equipment Four longshore moves, two trucker moves

Oakland Terminal June, 2014

Annual TEU per Acre

Graphic Version

Annual TEU per Acre has been used to compare U.S. container ports with each other and (often unfavorably) with foreign ports

Annual TEU per acre can be a misleading metric.

TEU per acre measures land productivity, but land may be the least costly...

Bulk & Container Port Basics

Graphic Version

Common Accessible Port Data

Cargo Tonnage Terminal Acres Berths & Length Vessel/Barge Calls & Sizes Vessel/Barge Dwell Time  

Potential Common Port Metrics

Tons per Acre Tons per Berth/Berth Foot...

How do we measure utilization and productivity?

Graphic Version

Utilization is throughput/capacity expressed as a percentage

Utilization is strongly affected by the timing of capacity additions versus demand growth Low utilization may signal low productivity, loss of demand, or reserve capacity High utilization...

Critical Capacity Assumptions: Example

Graphic Version

Assumptions and rules of thumb

Maximum annual TEU slot turnover = 70 turns (5 day dwell, 350 days/yr) Crane available 16 hours/day (two shifts), 250 days/yr Modern crane maximum = 35 moves/hr Vessel spacing at berth = vessel beam...

Container Yard Capacity

Graphic Version

Container yard capacity depends on acreage and storage density

Lower storage densities usually mean less handling and lower cost Terminal designers and managers “densify” to accommodate rising volume

 

...

How do we measure port capacity?

Graphic Version

Capacity may be based on port/terminal estimates, third-party estimates, or engineering studies

Bulk, container, and inland ports may have different capacity metrics and concerns

Near-term throughput capacity may be limited by one or more factors,...

PORTOPIA: EU Terminal Productivity Indicator

Graphic Version

PORTOPIA objectives:

To support the European Port Industry with meaningful performance data to increase individual port and port transport system performance To support policy formulation and monitor policy implementation...