Operations & Supply Chain

Container Yard Planning

Container terminals depend on efficient yard planning to keep ships, trucks and trains moving. This course covers container yard operations: yard layout and blocks, stacking strategies, equipment deployment, vessel and gate planning interfaces, reefer and dangerous goods handling, terminal operating systems and productivity measurement.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Poor yard planning causes rehandling, congestion and delays. You will learn planning techniques that raise terminal productivity.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Yard planning exercises, terminal case studies, simulation of stacking strategies and KPI analysis.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain container terminal and yard processes
Design yard layouts and block allocation
Apply stacking and allocation strategies
Coordinate yard, vessel and gate planning
Handle reefer and dangerous goods safely
Measure yard productivity

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Yard and terminal planners
Port operations managers
Terminal supervisors
Logistics professionals in ports
Shipping line operations staff

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Yard planning
Stacking strategy
Equipment deployment
Interface coordination
Productivity measurement

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Terminal Operations

09:00–10:08Terminal layout
10:08–11:00Flows
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Flows (continued)
11:45–12:53Key performance indicators
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Yard Layout

09:00–10:08Blocks and capacity
10:08–11:00Equipment types
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Equipment types (continued)
11:45–12:53Traffic flows
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Stacking Strategies

09:00–10:08Allocation rules
10:08–11:00Rehandling reduction
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Rehandling reduction (continued)
11:45–12:53Import, export and transshipment
12:53–14:00Simulation

Day 4Interfaces

09:00–10:08Vessel planning
10:08–11:00Gate and rail
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Gate and rail (continued)
11:45–12:53Special cargo
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Systems and Productivity

09:00–10:08Terminal operating systems
10:08–11:00Productivity analysis
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Productivity analysis (continued)
11:45–12:53Improvement
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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