Linehaul ships typically require either deep water or channel drafts of 46 feet or more, and a wide turning basin for berthing. Proximity to a large local market is helpful. A successful transshipment port must have substantial backland storage area for containers. A decade ago, a large container terminal would have been about 100 acres. Transshipment terminals under construction today range from 200 to 300 acres each.
Efficiency is the overriding objective.
In short, the carrier must be the ultimate decision-maker driving the development and ultimate configuration of such facilities. Facilities and local infrastructure go hand in hand. On many levels, the role of government is central to project viability. Government must be willing to invest in infrastructure, yet permit design flexibility driven by carrier service parameters. And it must be willing to open service sectors such as trucking and warehousing to foreign-carrier investment.