In a conventional container yard, stacks are oriented parallel to the berths to facilitate operations and better use the available footprint. If straddle carriers are used for stacking (not just for horizontal transport), the stacks are oriented perpendicularly to the berths. Vehicles can access the entire terminal to pick up or drop off containers. In an automated terminal, there is typically a separation between apron activities and gate activities, which creates two systems of intra terminal circulation. Therefore, the stacks are oriented perpendicularly to the berths.
Reefer stacks tend to be located either in the central area of the yard or near the gate for quick pickup and drop-off. Empty stacks are either located pier-side (for export repositioning) or at the back of the yard (for hinterland returns).