Apron

The apron is the paved quayside strip between the berth line and the storage yard where ship-to-shore cranes run and cargo is transferred to landside equipment. On a container terminal it carries the two crane rails, the hatch-cover lay-down zone, and transfer lanes, so the total width commonly reaches about 50 m: a 30.48 m (100 ft) or 35 m STS rail gauge, a roughly 15 m hatch-cover zone, and a backreach plus access roadway of 14 m or more. The berth line to waterside rail keeps a clear strip of at least 2.5 m for bollards, fenders, and gangways. Apron width sets quay-crane reach and chassis circulation.