(UNCTAD/RDP/LDC/7) HANDBOOK ON THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF DRY PORTS UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD) Geneva, 1991PREFACE The aims of this Handbook on the Management and Operation of Dry Ports are threefold Firstly, the Handbook seeks to provide a planning guide for universal application of the general procedures involved in the establishment of dry ports, which are also known as Inland Clearance Depots (ICDs). For planning purposes, dry port location principles, site consid- erations and the question of scale are also addressed. Secondly, the text describes typical characteristics of dry ports, notably their facilities and layout. Their potential benefits are listed and their role within the through transport system is analysed. The effects of containerization with particular reference to dry port operations are summarised including responsibilities of the multimodal transport operator. Relevant customs conventions and procedures concerning dry ports are also covered Thirdly, an administration and management structure for dry ports is outlined, suggestions ‘on marketing strategies aimed at ensuring the long-term profitability of such facilities are discussed. It is recognised that, in the early days of development, special promotional measures such as fiscal incentives and high profile advertising may be required to present the benefits of the dry port concept to potential customers. A dry port's economic viability, and ultimately its survival, will often depend largely on its achieving high customer satisfaction ‘stemming from a commitment to provide a good service at a competitive price. (UNCTAD/RDP/LDCI7)CONTENTS Page PREFACE i LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES iv LIST OF ANNEXES. iv GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS vi SECTION ONE: DRY PORTS, CONTAINERIZATION AND MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORT 1 A. Dry Ports Defined 2 B. Dry Port Facilities 4 C. Potential Benefits of Dry Ports 5 D. The Distribution of Benefits 9 E. — Containerization Defined 10 F The Benefits of Containerization 12 G. The Growth of Containerization 14 Chapter I. Dry Ports: Operational Procedures A. Basic Functions and Activities 15 B. Container Transport, Lifting and Stacking 17 Cc. Gate Procedures and Container Control 18 D. Transit Transport and Customs Regulations 22 SECTION TWO. MODELLING, PLANNING AND OPERATING A DRY PORT Chapter I. Dry Port Modelling and Locational Analysis 28 A. Methodology: the Origin - Destination Approach 29 B. Data Collection Procedure 29 Cc. Sampling and Data Analysis 30 D. Impact of a Dry Port on Total Ton per Kilometre and Total Transport Costs 32 E. The Transport Network 32 F. Unit Cost Minimization with Dry Ports 32 G. Container Transport and Distribution 35 (ti)