On Monday 5 March 2007, SCT completed another element of its yard optimization by converting the Reach Stacker Park into a second Empty Park for 20ft containers, which will be known as Empty Park 1.  Empty Park 2 is the original Empty Park and will be used to store 40ft containers.  All laden export containers will now go straight to the lorry transfer grids to be stacked in straddle rows.

As a result of these changes, there is now improved utilisation of the available space on the terminal.  As an Empty Park, the area will have an utilisation of up to 85% significantly more than when the land area was used for both empty and laden containers.

Steve McCrindle talks about the changes:

“The footprint of the terminal is constantly evolving and we have to make necessary changes as and when they are required to ensure the maximum utilisation of the space we have available. “

Map showing the new terminal layout.