The transshipment of loading units takes place in terminals and is a central component within CT chains. Transshipment systems are used to switch consignments from one mode of transport to another (road, rail, inland waterway, and short-sea-shipping).
The most important transshipment systems are divided into horizontal and vertical functions (type of movement or transshipment):
- With vertical transshipment, CT load units are lifted and reloaded from or onto different modes of transport using a lifting system and stacked for intermediate storage. This type of handling is standard equipment in many terminals and has proven itself as almost all ILUs might be turned vertically.
- Horizontal means that the loading unit is turned across or lengthways or diagonally to the transport carrier. Horizontal transshipment is mainly used for non-craneable loading units and is particularly suitable for transshipment between trucks and trains.