How does the consideration of vessel size impact terminal capacity planning?

Consideration of vessel size directly impacts terminal capacity planning by influencing berth length, water depth, crane specifications, storage space, and channel depth requirements. Larger vessels require longer berths to accommodate their length, impacting the number of vessels that can be simultaneously berthed. Water depth, or draft, must also be sufficient to prevent grounding, necessitating dredging if existing depths are inadequate. Larger vessels often require cranes with greater outreach and lifting capacity to efficiently load and unload containers across the vessel's wider beam. The volume of cargo discharged from larger vessels increases the demand for storage space, requiring larger container yards or warehousing facilities. Navigation channels must be deep and wide enough to allow safe passage for these larger vessels, influencing the overall accessibility and capacity of the port. For example, if a port is planning to accommodate Neo-Panamax vessels (vessels able to transit the expanded Panama Canal), the terminal must ensure sufficient berth length (typically around 366 meters), crane height and outreach to handle containers stacked higher and wider, increased storage capacity for a larger volume of containers discharged, and navigational channel depths exceeding 15 meters. Insufficient planning that disregards vessel size can result in operational inefficiencies, vessel delays, and reduced overall terminal throughput.