There are several methods to store and stack containers in a container yard, which is in its simplest form a flat paved surface. There are two fundamental models around which container yards are designed and operated:
- Linear layouts account for the simplest and least capital-intensive yard operations. At start, containers can be stored on chassis that can be parked in parallel (L1) for space maximization or diagonally (L2) to favor quick drop-off and retrieval (all called fishbone configuration). This organization is common for intermodal rail terminals and RO-RO facilities. Straddle carrier configurations (L3) store containers one or two in height along rows over which straddle carriers drive. This is common for average-density yards that can store around 700 TEU per hectare. Reach stackers can be used to stack full containers in piles up to 3 in height (L4), which is mainly used in intermodal terminals. The majority of container ports have empty stacks (L5) with higher stacks (about 5 containers) that are managed by reach stackers.
- Block layouts are more capital-intensive as they rely on gantry cranes to manage stacks. A group of stacked containers serviced by a crane is referred to as a block. Rubber-tired gantry cranes allow for higher stacking density in the range of 1,000 TEU per hectare, where blocks can be sideloaded (B1; faster individual container access time but lower stacking density) or front-loaded (B2; slower individual container access time but higher stacking density). Wide-span gantry cranes operating on fixed rails allow for the highest stacking density, in the range of 2,000 TEU per hectare, and can be sideloaded (B3) or front-loaded (B4). Automated container yards usually rely on front-loading gantries.