Phase 1: Traditional General Cargo Flow
A port with break-bulk or packaged bulk cargo terminals, such as for bagged grains or petroleum in barrels.
Phase 2: Break-Bulk Cargoes
When breakbulk cargo flow exceeds an economically acceptable limit, these cargoes are transported in bulk form and the port develops a special bulkcargo terminal. At the same time, the breakbulk berths are increased, to accommodate the higher demand.
Phase 3: Unit Loads
Unit loads start being carried on conventional vessels in small quantities in units such as palettes, containers, or packaged lumber. At the same time, break-bulk cargo flows, particularly those of bulked breakbulk cargoes, start diminishing to levels that require separation of cargo terminals for various cargo categories.
Phase 4: Multipurpose Terminal
Unitized cargoes on specialized vessels start appearing in quantities that do not yet require development of a specialized terminal. Thus, a multipurpose terminal is created in which break-bulk cargo traffic is diminished, although unitized cargo is also handled. At the same time, the specialization of dry bulk cargo terminals continues.
Phase 5: Specialized Terminal
With an increase in unit loads beyond certain levels, specialized cargo terminals are created for handling containers, packaged lumber, and Ro-Ro. The multipurpose terminal of phase 4 is converted into a specialized terminal, with the addition of specialized cargo handling equipment. Break-bulk general cargo is reduced further.
It should be noted that in normal situations, the transition from phase 3 to phase 5 should progress through phase 4, so as to provide an opportunity to the port to increase unitized cargo traffic to volumes that will enable economically feasible development of a specialized terminal in phase 5. Moreover, in the event that a port has entered phase 3 of its development, care should be taken to avoid creating additional general cargo berths.
