A frame structure for a multi-level container handling and storage facility 11, which is constructed by an array of basic structures comprising of two rows, R1 and R2, of spaced support columns 21 which are weight bearing. The columns in row R1 are joined respectively by one horizontal beam 25 and similarly the columns in row R2 are joined respectively by a separate horizontal beam 25 to form spaced adjacent beams that now define an intermediate level IL. The rows R1 and R2 of spaced support columns 21 are spaced at a distance allowing storage of at least one container therebetween below the intermediate level IL. The spaced adjacent horizontal beams 25 are at a distance matching the dimension of a container allowing storage of at least one container thereon above the intermediate level IL.

A frame structure for a multi-level container handling and storage facility 11, which is constructed by an array of basic structures comprising of two rows, R1 and R2, of spaced support columns 21 which are weight bearing. The columns in row R1 are joined respectively by one horizontal beam 25 and similarly the columns in row R2 are joined respectively by a separate horizontal beam 25 to form spaced adjacent beams that now define an intermediate level IL. The rows R1 and R2 of spaced support columns 21 are spaced at a distance allowing storage of at least one container therebetween below the intermediate level IL. The spaced adjacent horizontal beams 25 are at a distance matching the dimension of a container allowing storage of at least one container thereon above the intermediate level IL.

A multimodal transportation interworking system at least comprises: a rail system; a cargo vehicle (31), which may be movably disposed on a rail beam of the rail system (30); a transfer apparatus (32), for transferring a goods loading device (33) from a transportation tool to the cargo vehicle (31) and loading onto the cargo vehicle, or unloading the goods loading device (33) from the cargo vehicle and conveying the same onto the transportation tool; a processor, which is connected to the cargo moving device (31) and the transfer apparatus (32) so as to control the transfer apparatus to transfer the goods loading device, and after the goods loading device is secured onto the cargo vehicle, to control the cargo vehicle to move on the rail beam.

A straddle-type multimodal transportation interworking system at least comprises: a rail system (30), a cargo vehicle (140), a transfer apparatus (32) and a processor. The cargo vehicle (140) can be movably provided on a rail beam (170) of the rail system. The transfer apparatus (32) is used for transferring a goods loading device (33) from a transportation tool to the cargo vehicle (140) and loading the same onto the cargo vehicle or unloading the goods loading device (33) from the cargo vehicle (140) and conveying the same onto the transportation tool. The processor is connected to the cargo vehicle and the transfer apparatus.

A straddle-type multimodal transportation interworking system at least comprises: a rail system (30), a cargo vehicle (140), a transfer apparatus (32) and a processor. The cargo vehicle (140) can be movably provided on a rail beam (170) of the rail system. The transfer apparatus (32) is used for transferring a goods loading device (33) from a transportation tool to the cargo vehicle (140) and loading the same onto the cargo vehicle or unloading the goods loading device (33) from the cargo vehicle (140) and conveying the same onto the transportation tool. The processor is connected to the cargo vehicle and the transfer apparatus.

The invention relates to a method and to a container transfer installation (2, 102) for placing containers into and removing containers from or transferring containers (1) in high-rack or block storage arcs (3, 15) of a seaport or inland port within a container transfer installation (2, 102) having an integrated, fully automatic container transport system. An accelerated process having high total throughput is achieved in that individual containers (1) are deposited by the at least one loading gantry (6) successively onto pallets (19) or transverse conveying carts (18) provided on a transfer cart (8; 8a, 8b) that at least has an upper and a lower accommodating and conveying level (I, II) and can be moved parallel to the container storage area (3, 15), and the pallets (19) loaded with a container (1) are led over means of pallet transverse conveying means (25) or the containers (1) are led over by means of the transverse conveying carts (18) of the transfer cart (8; 8a, 8b) from the transfer cart onto an end distribution vehicle (9; 9a, 9b), which can be moved parallel to the container storage area (3, 15) and is positioned in line before the transfer cart (8; 8a, 8b) and has an upper and a lower level (I, II) and are led over by means of transverse conveying means (20; 25) from the end distribution vehicle onto a stationary transfer station (10) of the container storage area (3, 15), which transfer station likewise has an upper and a lower level (I, II) and from which transfer station a storage area crane (12) lifts the container (1) in order to place the container in the container storage area (3, 15).

An automatic loading system for vehicles includes an overhead platform, a transporting machine, and a cargo carrying mechanism. The overhead platform includes two rails. The transporting machine is disposed on the rails and configured to move on the rails along a first direction. The transporting machine includes a hoist mechanism and a fork assembly disposed on the hoist mechanism. The hoist mechanism is configured to drive the fork assembly to move along a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The fork assembly includes forks disposed side by side and separately. Each fork includes at least a conveyer belt. The cargo carrying mechanism is configured to carry cargos and includes a conveyer belt platform. When the fork assembly is close to the cargo carrying mechanism, the conveyer belt and the conveyer belt platform are configured to transport the cargos to the forks from the conveyer belt platform.

A system for the transfer, storage and distribution of intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The system comprises a first storage area comprising a first plurality of shafts arranged in a grid pattern along a first and second axis, a plurality of gantry cranes slidably disposed along the first axis and extending beyond the storage area, a roof structure disposed at a distance above the plurality of shafts, and a plurality of overhead cranes slidably associated with the plurality of tracks. The shafts disposed in rows along the first axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a plurality of lengths. The shafts disposed in a given row along the second axis are configured to store intermodal containers of a corresponding length. The plurality of gantry cranes are each configured to attach to and transport an intermodal container from a first location to one of a plurality of platforms slidably disposed along the first axis. The platforms delivering the intermodal container to one of the rows of the shafts along the first axis are based on the length of the intermodal container. The roof structure comprises a plurality of tracks corresponding to the rows of the shafts along the second axis. The overhead cranes are each configured to attach to and transport the intermodal container from the platforms to either one of the shafts or to a second location.