Chassis Depots and Marine Terminal

Interactions

Most motor carriers start their day at chassis depots, where they need to present some documentation for their container or bare chassis release number (a.k.a. booking number).

Many of the larger marine terminals and rail ramps utilize remote access points (look like ATM machines) where the clerk can be many miles away from the motor carrier.

Chassis at the depots are generally segregated between “good order” (a.k.a. roadworthy) and Out-of-Service (OOS). Notice the green sticker on the crank handle to signify the chassis is available to be utilized by a motor carrier for a container.

To increase the capacity of the chassis depot, some operator have chassis racks. With the rack system, the amount of chassis storage can be tripled (saving valuable land).

In order to utilize chassis racks, the depot operator needs a specialized stacker. This is a forklift that has a hydraulic attachment.

The chassis stacker and chassis racks allow the equipment to be stored with causing any damage.

Many marine terminals are going to grounded container model, where the boxes are stacked together (this picture is a straddle operation). To lift the containers on/off the ground, there are many types of heavy machinery, like toploaders, straddles and rubber-tire gantry cranes (RTG),

Even specialty containers such as refrigeration boxes (reefers) can be stacked in a way to still have access to power.

Toploader in action.

Motor Carriers being serviced on straddle truckline.

When motor carriers are done utilizing a chassis for a container, it gets returned to the chassis depot. An inspector will examine the chassis and will place it OOS (generally with a red sticker on the crank handle), if it needs repairs (including minor defects such as marker light bulb burnt out).