What is a transhipment terminal and how does it work?

What is a transshipment terminal?

A transhipment terminal is a specialized place that serves as a meeting point for various means of transport. In such locations, goods are transhipped from one means of transport to another, which is necessary for the efficient functioning of supply chains. These terminals enable the rapid and efficient movement of goods on a large scale.

In practice, a transshipment terminal can handle various types of goods and adapt to the specific requirements of a given load. This allows not only for reloading, but also temporary storage, sorting and even minor maintenance work on load units, which significantly increases the flexibility and efficiency of transport processes.

Transshipment terminal classification

Terminals can be classified according to several criteria, such as location, size, and the type of goods handled. This is of key importance for entities dealing with logistics and transport management.

Division by location

• Port terminals – located at river mouths and in sea and river ports. They are crucial for the transshipment of goods between ships, trains and trucks.

• Land terminals – usually located inland and serve as transshipment points between various types of road and rail transport. They are often strategically located, e.g. close to borders with other countries, to maximize land transport efficiency.

• Air terminals – concentrated around airports, they enable reloading and short-term storage of goods related to air transport.

Division by size

• Small terminals (capacity up to 5,000 TEU) – are relatively small and usually handle local logistics traffic.

• Medium terminals (capacity from 5,000 to 40,000 TEU) – key points in regional supply chains, able to handle both domestic and international transport on a smaller scale.

• Large terminals (capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 TEU) – are able to handle large volumes of goods and are usually situated in strategic locations for international trade.

• Very large terminals (capacity above 100,000 TEU) – huge logistics hubs that handle mass turnover of goods on a global scale.

Where does Poczta Polska have transshipment terminals?

In Poland and around the world, the post office uses a network of transshipment terminals to optimize parcel delivery processes. Postal terminals in Poland are located in strategic points – near the borders, by the sea and in the vicinity of large cities.

The most important of them are: Gdynia, Gdańsk, Braniewo, Świnoujście, Ełk, Szczecin, Szamotuły, Rzepin, Poznań, Kalisz, Kutno, Stryków, Warszawa, Chryzanów, Narewka, Małaszewicze, Łódź, Brzech Dolny, Kąty Wrocławskie, Siechnice, Lublin, Radomsko, Kielce, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Gliwice, Sławków, Włosienica, Brzesko.

How long does the reloading process take?

Reloading times at transhipment terminals can vary significantly depending on many factors, including the type of goods, the terminal’s capacity and its technical specifications. Based on our experience, we are able to indicate the approximate times:

• For small loads – from several minutes to several hours;
• For larger batches of goods – from several hours to even several days.

However, it should be noted that technical and technological development is constantly advancing. More and more processes can be automated and simplified, e.g. thanks to the use of robotic sorting and reloading systems. Time is also of essence – holiday periods are characterized by a high volume of orders and goods passing through terminals.

Advantages and disadvantages of transhipment terminals

Transhipment terminals are used to optimize transport processes. However, there are no perfect solutions, so it is worth paying attention to the strengths and weaknesses of these logistics points.

Advantages of transhipment terminals

• Improving multimodal transport – smooth transition between different means of transport.
• Optimizing routes and costs.
• Reducing the need for storage – transshipment terminals can reduce the costs associated with storing and managing goods.
• Increasing flexibility in supply chain management – flexibility in adapting the supply chain to changing market conditions and customer needs.

Disadvantages of transhipment terminals

• Construction, maintenance and modernization costs.
• Cost of reloading – the reloading process involves operational costs, such as equipment depreciation, employee remuneration, and the need to use specialized equipment to handle certain loads.
• Risk of damage to goods – during reloading, the risk of damage to goods increases.
• Capacity limitation – in case of high workload, there may be a delay in deliveries and a reduction in the efficiency of the entire system.

Summary: an important link in the supply chain

Transshipment terminals are a key element in modern supply chains, enabling the effective change of means of transport and optimization of logistics processes. Despite their numerous advantages, terminals require significant investment and risk management of goods damage and potential delays. However, this does not change the fact that they are an irreplaceable link in global trade and transport.