Yards store millions of containers from around the world and play an important role in the shipping industry. Read this article to fully understand the functions and uses of storage yards and make the most informed business decisions.
1. The role of container yards
The container depot is an area used for handover, storage and storage of containers for transshipment. It provides shipping companies with basic services such as cargo consolidation, box repair and cleaning.
One of the biggest misconceptions about container yards is that they store fully loaded containers. In fact, it only serves as a storage area before containers are loaded, so it mainly stores empty containers. Some yards are also equipped with facilities to handle out-of-gauge cargo, which is cargo that exceeds the maximum cargo size that can be accommodated in a standard container. In addition, the yard can help alleviate the problem of tight space in the port or the hinterland surrounding it.

The full name of ICD is inland container depot. They are usually located inland and provide storage services for containers. Before or after shipping containers to ports, shipping companies send containers to inland container terminals for temporary storage. ICD helps landlocked shippers access port services closer to their location. Therefore, they can handle goods near warehouses and factories. ICD helps reduce port pressure and alleviate port congestion.
2. Where is the container yard located?
Container depots are usually located within a port or terminal, sometimes inland, and are called inland container depots (ICD). The location of a container yard is crucial. When the yard is closer to the terminal, more efficient container transportation is achieved due to the shorter distance.

3. Container yards at major ports around the world
Yards can be owned by the state, the private sector or a public-private partnership. In Europe and North America, ownership of yards is held by different parties, such as port operating companies, railway companies and shipping companies. In East Africa, ICD mostly belong to the private sector, and the government also encourages public-private partnerships. In Asia, stockyards are often state-owned. In India, all container yards are managed by Container Corporation of India (CONCOR).
The following is a recommended list of yard companies in major ports around the world in 2024:

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