Shipping Modes
Container Yard (CY)
The area of a terminal or depot where full and empty containers are stacked and stored while awaiting loading, collection, or return.
In depth
The container yard is where boxes sit between moves, and the CY reference in shipping terms defines where the carrier's responsibility begins and ends. A booking quoted CY to CY means the carrier takes the container at the origin yard and returns it at the destination yard, with inland movement at each end being the merchant's responsibility. Free time and therefore demurrage are measured from the container's time in the yard, which is why yard dwell is watched closely by importers.
Key points
- Where containers are stacked awaiting loading, collection, or return
- CY-to-CY defines the limits of carrier responsibility
- Demurrage is measured from yard dwell time
- Inland legs outside the yard are the merchant's responsibility