TOS

A TOS (terminal operating system) is the software that runs a container or cargo terminal’s daily operations, controlling yard planning, vessel and berth planning, gate and truck moves, equipment dispatch, and billing. It maintains the real-time inventory of every box and its yard slot, optimizes crane and straddle or RTG sequences, and exchanges UN/EDIFACT messages (COPRAR, COARRI, CODECO, BAPLIE) with carriers and the port community system. Leading systems include Navis N4, Tideworks, and CyberLogitec OPUS. The TOS governs one terminal’s internal operations; it differs from a port community system, which links many parties across the whole port. Its yard module is where the yard planner allocates stacks.