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Unit Aims, Objectives and Prerequisites
C.1.1 Container terminal operations

1. Unit Aims

This Unit is designed:

1. To explain the role of the container terminal in cargo handling.
2. To describe the activities, facilities and operation of the container terminal.
3. To discuss organizational structure, management, supervision and control of the container terminal.

2. Unit Objectives

After completing this Unit, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe in general terms the routes by which containerised cargo is transported between consignor and consignee.
2. List the main container-handling activities that take place on a container terminal.
3. Given a plan of the container terminal, name correctly each of the functional areas and state in general terms what activities take place in them.
4. Name and describe the components of the container terminal operations sequence.
5. State how imbalances can arise during container terminal operations and describe the consequences of operational bottlenecks.
6. Name the six major types of container handling equipment and explain how they are combined to form container handling ‘systems’.
7. Describe the container handling system (and its components) operating in the terminal.
8. List the terminal areas given restricted access and prohibited access, and state the terminal’s rules of general safety.
9. Explain the importance of organizational integration, and demonstrate how this is applied through the organizational structure of the terminal.
10. Name the departments in the terminal organization and outline their areas of responsibility.
11. Name the five essential elements of terminal management and supervision.
12. Describe in general terms the work and importance of the Planning Unit/Cell.
13. Define, recognize the best definition of, or distinguish between true and false statements concerning, the technical terms used in the Unit, as listed in sections 3 and 4 below.

3. Unit Prerequisites

• There are no prerequisites for this Unit. It is assumed that it will be presented as the first Unit in a number of different courses of study, as an introduction to those courses. You, as the instructor, will need to be constantly aware of the background of those participating in the Unit and adjust the treatment, degree of detail and coverage accordingly; you may decide to omit some sections for particular groups.