A system for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths, the system comprising: a first storage area comprising a plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first axis (A-A) and second axis (B-B), wherein the shafts disposed in rows along the first axis (A-A) are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths and wherein the shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis (B-B) are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length; a plurality of quayside gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis (A-A) and extending beyond the storage area, a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis (A-A), wherein the plurality of quayside gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of the platforms, wherein the platforms are configured to deliver the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis (A-A) based on the length of the intermodal container; a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, the roof structure comprising a plurality of guideways corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis (B-B) and disposed underneath the roof structure, and are limited to traveling in the direction of the second axis (B-B) only, characterised in that the plurality of quayside gantry cranes are slidably supported on the first axis (A-A) by one or more rails disposed on top of the roof structure; the system further comprising: a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with one of the plurality of the guideways along the second axis (B-B) that are underneath the roof structure and the quayside gantry cranes, the overhead cranes each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location via an associated hoist mechanism. a first storage area comprising a plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first axis (A-A) and second axis (B-B), wherein the shafts disposed in rows along the first axis (A-A) are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths and wherein the shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis (B-B) are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length; a plurality of quayside gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis (A-A) and extending beyond the storage area, a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis (A-A), wherein the plurality of quayside gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of the platforms, wherein the platforms are configured to deliver the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis (A-A) based on the length of the intermodal container; a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, the roof structure comprising a plurality of guideways corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis (B-B) and disposed underneath the roof structure, and are limited to traveling in the direction of the second axis (B-B) only, characterised in that the plurality of quayside gantry cranes are slidably supported on the first axis (A-A) by one or more rails disposed on top of the roof structure; the system further comprising: a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with one of the plurality of the guideways along the second axis (B-B) that are underneath the roof structure and the quayside gantry cranes, the overhead cranes each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location via an associated hoist mechanism.