What are Different Types of Container Ports?

A port is the larger facility where ships dock, cargo is handled, and various terminals operate. A container terminal is one section of the port dedicated to loading and unloading standardized shipping containers.

Yes, you don’t need to fill an entire container. Freight forwarders and brokers consolidate smaller shipments into shared containers, giving small businesses access to global ports.

TEU stands for “twenty-foot equivalent unit.” It’s the standard measurement used to calculate container volume. A 40-foot container equals 2 TEUs.

The busiest U.S. ports include Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, and Houston. Together, they handle the majority of America’s containerized imports and exports.

Congestion happens when container volumes exceed a port’s capacity. Causes include labor shortages, equipment breakdowns, or supply chain imbalances, like too many imports arriving at once.

Many of the largest ports, like Los Angeles or Singapore, operate around the clock. Others may have limited hours depending on labor agreements, staffing, and demand.

Customs officials inspect and clear shipments before they’re allowed inland. This process includes reviewing paperwork, scanning containers, and occasionally opening them for physical inspection.

Yes. Most carriers and port authorities provide tracking updates, showing when a container arrives, clears customs, and leaves the terminal. Your logistics provider usually gives you access to this information.

Dry ports are inland facilities connected to seaports by rail or truck. They help relieve congestion at coastal ports and give shippers a closer access point for container pickup and drop-off.

Feeder ports are ideal for regions or smaller cities that are not directly connected to major global shipping lanes. If you’re shipping goods to a less accessible area, feeder ports allow you to connect smaller vessels to gateway or transshipment ports. They help reduce shipping costs and time for goods moving to and from remote regions.

Dry ports are inland terminals that offer similar services to seaport terminals, but they are located far from the coast. They allow cargo to be processed and cleared away from congested ports, offering a smoother inland transportation experience. Dry ports are connected to seaports by road or rail, and they play a key role in enhancing logistics efficiency for landlocked countries or regions​.

Yes, many bulk ports also handle containerized cargo. While bulk ports specialize in non-containerized goods such as oil, coal, or grains, some have facilities to manage containerized cargo as well. However, if you are exclusively shipping containers, a dedicated container port might be more efficient

Transshipment can increase shipping costs and transit times since cargo needs to be unloaded and reloaded between ships. However, transshipment ports enable shipping companies to optimize routes, particularly in regions with limited direct shipping connections. This process helps make global trade more accessible to smaller or less-connected regions.

The decision to use a transshipment port versus a direct shipping route depends on various factors, including the geographical location of the origin and destination ports, shipping costs, the size of the cargo, and the available infrastructure. Transshipment is typically used when there is no direct shipping route, when a more efficient route can be created through a transshipment hub, or when larger vessels cannot dock at smaller ports. While transshipment can add costs and time, it is essential for connecting smaller ports to major international trade routes.

That’s what we’re here for! Tell us what you’re shipping, where it’s going, and how fast you need it there, and we’ll help you find the most efficient mode. Call us at (800) 716-7608 or use our quote tool—we’ll guide you through it every step of the way.