Inland Container Depot (ICD): Meaning and Key Role
An Inland Container Depot (ICD), often called a dry port, is an inland logistics hub connected to seaports by
rail, truck, or both. Its main purpose is to shift part of container handling inland, closer to cargo owners and
industrial areas, while keeping control over inventory, status, and interchange.
What an ICD does in practice
- Buffers seaport congestion by moving storage and interchange away from port yards
- Balances peak volumes when vessel calls create sudden surges in import/export flows
- Consolidates hinterland cargo into rail blocks or truck dispatch waves
- Improves equipment availability by positioning empty containers closer to exporters (where applicable)
Typical ICD operations
A standard flow includes inbound arrival, gate interchange, yard placement, internal moves, release control, then outbound dispatch.
Many ICDs operate around a rail ramp (intermodal area), where train windows and platform allocation drive planning.
Depending on local framework, an ICD may also support customs-related procedures or act as a documentation point.
ICD vs container depot vs inland terminal
- ICD: a hinterland hub concept; can include storage, intermodal exchange, sometimes clearance processes
- Container depot: equipment-focused site, mainly empty storage plus inspection, cleaning, M&R
- Inland / intermodal terminal: rail-driven operations; often overlaps with ICD wording in some markets
Why ICDs matter for performance
Moving part of the workload inland improves space productivity at the port, reduces truck turnaround pressure at seaport gates, and creates a more
predictable inland distribution rhythm. Key KPIs usually tracked include dwell time, yard occupancy,
truck turnaround time, rail throughput, plus rehandle ratio inside the yard.
