What is a Container Depot? [+Save money on container trading & storage]

Enhance your supply chain by understanding the key role of container depots. Discover their functions and see how partnering with a leading depot can streamline logistics, cut costs, and boost efficiency.

In the complex world of global trade, container depots play a crucial role for goods to seamlessly pass through the supply chain. These facilities facilitate the efficient handling, storage, and repositioning of shipping containers on land.

One of the pivotal functions of container depots is also to facilitate buying and selling shipping containers. A lot of people prefer trading containers directly from the depot, as it reduces delays that might happen when dealing with middlemen.

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What is a Container Depot? 

A container depot is a specialized facility for storing, managing and servicing shipping containers. Depots are often called ‘secure facilities’ that provide a range of essential services like freight consolidation, shipping container repair and maintenance, container inspection and survey, container trading and much more for shipping and container companies.

These depots are also strategically located near the ports to optimize the movement of containers between ports, inland locations, and other key points in the supply chain.

After a container is unloaded from a ship, it is transported to the depot for storage until it’s picked up by truck or train for further inland movement. Likewise, once the cargo is delivered, the empty container returns to the depot for freight consolidation or storage until it’s ready for transportation to its next destination.

One of the biggest misconceptions about container depots is that they store fully-loaded containers. But in reality, it only serves as a holding facility for shipping containers until it’s time to reload or empty container repositioning.

Some depots are also equipped to handle Out Of Gauge (OOG) goods, which have extreme dimensions that surpass a standard container. Additionally, depots also help alleviate space crunch at the port and yards.

Functions of a Container Depot

Here’s an in-depth list of their functions:

Storage

Container depots offer secure storage solutions for empty and loaded containers. This is crucial for managing inventory and ensuring that containers are readily available when needed.

Freight Consolidation

One of the main functions of a container depot is freight consolidation. You can bring your cargo to the depot, and get it packed and shipped. And if there are loaded containers in the depot, they are unpacked and distributed.

Documentation

Depots also help with administrative and documentation processes such as:

• Communication with the logistics company
• Cargo loading and unloading
• Managing receipt
• Delivery of goods
• Custom clearance

Depots pose as a blessing for cargo owners. It makes your life easier and saves a lot of time.

 Repair and cleaning

After customs clearance, the container is lifted using cranes for inspection to determine the extent of container damage. The damaged ones are taken to the maintenance facility for repair, thorough cleaning, and storage. And the operational ones are stacked separately for reuse.

Reefer storage facility

If you have a reefer that needs storing, depots also provide temporary storage facilities for reefers. Depots will have a separate area supplying electricity to reefer containers with temperature-sensitive goods.

Another very important function of a shipping container depot is to facilitate container trading for for both sellers and buyers. Let’s understand this in the section.

How container depots streamline container buying and selling

By acting as a hub for container storage and services, depots create a marketplace where container owners, buyers, and traders can connect, negotiate, and finalize deals, making the trading process more efficient and transparent.

For buying

• Offers a variety of container types and conditions to meet different needs.
• Provides a chance for inspection before the purchase.
• Proximity to the port and railroads makes it easier to transport containers.
• Readily available for pickup.

If any of these points jump out for you, then we’re happy to break out to you that you don’t have to visit the nearest container depot to buy containers.

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For Selling

• Quick access to container buyers
• Buyers trust containers sold from depot because of certification.
• Offers secured storage option to maintain the container condition
• Convenient location to save on delivery charges.

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 What is an Inland Container Depot?

An inland container depot (ICD) is a facility for storing containers located in the hinterland, far from the main ports. Before and after delivering shipping containers to the seaport, shipping companies store and move their boxes to the ICDs.

ICDS helps hinterland customers to receive port services closer to their premises. So, customers get to process their shipments near their godowns and factories, away from the far-off ports. In doing so, ICDs help in de-stressing and decongesting the main ports where the storage spaces are limited.

So, then how are inland Container Depots different from Container Freight Stations (CFS)?

Even though these are two different terms, many exporters, importers, shipping lines, and customs officials see no distinction between ICD/CFS as both work as consolidation points.

But there are some dissimilarities between the two:

CFS vs ICD
In most cases, the CFS is located close to the port of entry and is mainly responsible for consolidating and segregating cargo. It mostly deals with any LCLWhat is less than container load? Less than container load (less than container load, LCL) is a shipping term that refers to the delivery of cargo in smaller quantities than a full container load. A f... More cargo that you’ve sent out.	On the other hand, ICD is in the hinterlands away from the main ports. They mostly serve any FCL cargo needs you have and can also be connected to road and rail transport.
The main aim of CFS is to decongest the port. These stations are also connected to rail or road transport.	It also helps you avail the customs-related services along with consolidation and storage of cargo.

List of container depots in top locations

This can help you pinpoint the nearest depots, plan the travel time to the final destination, and also discover hotspot depot locations around the world.

Container depots are either owned by the state, private or private-public sectors. Different parties take up ownership in Europe and North America, such as port operators, rail companies, and shipping companies.

When it comes to Asia, depots in India and China are mostly state-owned. Especially in India, the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) manages all container depots. Inland container depots in East Africa mostly fall under the private sector even though private-public partnerships are encouraged too.

List of container depots in our top locations

Port	Country	Depot Name	Depot website	Capacity
Port of Antwerp	Belgium	DR Depots	https://dr-depots.com/	23,000 TEU
Port of Rotterdam	Netherlands	DR Depots	https://dr-depots.com/	20,000 TEU
Port of Shanghai	China	Donghwa Container	http://www.donghwa.com.cn	53,000 TEU
Port of Hamburg	Germany	Progeco Deutschland GmbH-Ellerholzdamm	http://progeco-hamburg.de/	120 TEU/day
Port of Genoa	Italy	Gruppo Spinelli	https://www.gruppospinelli.com	10,000 TEU
Port of Qingdao	China	Ocean & Great Asia Logistics Co.,Ltd	http://www.yydy.com	–
Port Klang	Malaysia	Eng Kong Holdings Pte Ltd.	http://www.engkong.com	–
Port of Ningo	China	Ningbo Victory Cntr Co., Ltd.	http://www.nvcl.com.cn/	30,000 TEU
Port of Nhava Sheva	India	Bay Container Terminal Pvt	http://www.bctdepots.com/	–
Port of Singapore	Singapore	CWT Integrated Pte Ltd	http://www.cwtlimited.com/	–
Port of Tianjin	China	Tianjin Keyun International	http://www.keyun.com	–
Port of Jakarta	Indonesia	Pt. Tungya Collins Terminal	http://www.tungya.co.id/	–
Port of Dalian	China	Dalian Singamas International Container	http://www.singamas.com/en-us/depots/detail/2	16,000 TEU
Ho Chi Minh Port	Vietnam	Greating Fortune Container HCM	http://www.unigreating.net/	–
Port of Barcelona	Spain	Recomar S.A.	http://www.recomar.com.ar/	–
Port of Valencia	Spain	Trans-Base Soler, S.L.	https://www.transbasesoler.com/	–
Port of Karachi	Pakistan	Hussain Trading Agencies (Pvt)	https://www.hussaintrading.com/	–
Port of Mundra	India	Bay Container Terminal Pvt	http://www.bctdepots.com/	–
Port of Livorno	Italy	Autamarocchi S.p.A	https://www.autamarocchi.com/en/	–
Port of Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Container System Ltd.	http://www.container-sys.com/frames_e.htm	30,000 TEU

How we can help you get access to a container depot 

If you’re ready to find a container depot located near you but not sure where to start, we can help you. We have a global container directory that will assist you to get specifics such as contact details, service offerings, and reviews of global container depots at your fingertips.

To see how our global depot directory works you can head on over to our website and request a demo. If you have questions, our team of experts is here to help you get started and guide you along the way! Finding a container depot cannot get easier than this. Try it out for yourself today!

Container depot design and layout

You now know that most depots solve the issue of bottlenecks and space shortages. And also have high security so your containers are safe. But how do they accomplish this with ease? With the help of innovative design and layout.

Container depots are one of the busiest places you’ll come across. This means that the layout should have proper planning. The design should provide sufficient space for storage and promote high-level security. Thus, having a standardized design and layout is crucial for depots.

Furthermore, a standardized layout can ensure that your containers are arranged and stored appropriately. Large spreader cranes lift your containers high up before stacking them in order of arrival, departure, or companies they belong to. A good design ensures that these movements are carried out smoother and faster.

A standard depot has various entry and exit points with security checks at each point. Some of these depots are equipped to trace the smuggling of drugs and other illegal substances and alert officials.

You can also find a customs office in a depot.  There are also extensive road and rail networks connected across the depot which helps in easier and faster transportation of cargo.

What’s the difference: Depots vs Ports vs Terminals

There’s a lot of confusion between these three terms: depot, port, and terminal. They’re often misused or used interchangeably. But the fact is, depots, ports, and terminals are three different entities and have distinct functions and purposes.

Let’s have a quick comparison of the three.

Depot	Port	Terminal
Depot serves as a temporary storage facility for shipping containers until it’s time for the reloading of cargo.	A port is an area where a ship docks to handle cargo (loading and unloading), and or passengers.	A container terminal is a part of the port where containerized cargo is transported from land to sea and sea to land.

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Container Depot: Common FAQs

Why are container depots located close to the ports?

Container depots are close to the ports or terminals as it reduces movement time resulting in a quick and effortless transfer of containers between locations. It also saves a lot of energy and money.

What do you mean by Inland Container Depot?

Inland Container Depots (ICD) are dry ports that handle and store containerized cargo (temporarily). It helps hinterland customers to receive port services being closer to their premises.

What services do container depots provide?

A container depot provides many services. Though it’s primarily used as a safe facility to store shipping containers, here are a few common use-cases of a depot: - Freight Consolidation - Documentation - Custom clearance - Repair and cleaning - Reefer storage facility