Terminals
Terminals are having a very important function within logistics networks. They link different transport modes or act as transhipment points in order to merges shipments for a long haul leg or to separate for the final delivery. Terminals might be called hubs as well. [Murphy/Wood 2004, pp. 380-381]
They are essential parts of transports. Terminal also provide storage or warehousing capabilities or even distribution centres which are mainly warehouses but act for dedicated customer specific business as transhipment point.
Storage and warehousing is essential for the supply chain as it works as buffer to support local markets on demand with short response times.
Typical terminals are sea ports, air ports, trucking hubs or railway stations. [Vahrenkamp 2005, pp. 284-288]
Sufficient equipment in order to load, unload, lift, move or stuff cargo within the terminal. This equipment can be forklifts, conveyer belt systems, cranes, reach stackers or container gantry cranes.
Especially intermodal shipping units, ISO container and ULD, will be stuffed with loose cargo shipments delivered at terminals. [Murphy/Wood 2004, pp. 387-388]
The operator of a terminal, in general, is a service provider for the stakeholders and does not act as a transport stakeholder himself, e.g. sea ports or airports. Exceptions are road and rail where stakeholders, like government owned railway companies might own the complete infrastructure. [Vahrenkamp 2005, pp. 323-325]
Terminals also are providing cross docking, storage and or sophisticated warehousing capabilities.
These are essential parts of the supply chain as warehouses are used as buffers to ensure constant availability of goods and cross docking is essential for efficient distribution processes.
