Container transfer port system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container transfer port system for transferring containers between an onshore container terminal and an offshore container terminal located apart from the onshore terminal. The container transfer port system of the present invention comprises: an offshore quay ( 32 ) at the offshore container terminal ( 31 ) equipped with cranes ( 13 ) for transferring containers ( 11 ) between the offshore quay ( 32 ) and a ship ( 12 ) berthed to the quay ( 32 ); an undersea tunnel ( 41 ) constructed between undersea of the quay ( 32 ) and underground of the onshore container terminal ( 21 ) for providing a route for transferring the containers; a tunnel conveyor ( 45 ) installed in the tunnel ( 41 ) for transferring the containers along the tunnel ( 41 ): an offshore lift ( 52 ) for transferring the containers vertically between the offshore quay ( 32 ) and the tunnel ( 41 ); and an onshore lift ( 51 ) for transferring the containers vertically between the tunnel ( 41 ) and the onshore container terminal ( 21 ).

1 . A container transfer port system for transferring containers between an onshore container terminal and an offshore container terminal located apart from said onshore container terminal, comprising:
 (a) an offshore quay at said offshore container terminal equipped with cranes for transferring said containers between said offshore quay and a ship berthed to said offshore quay;   (b) an undersea tunnel constructed between undersea of said offshore quay and underground of said onshore container terminal for providing a route for transferring said containers;   (c) a tunnel conveyor installed in said undersea tunnel for transferring said containers along said undersea tunnel;   (d) an offshore lift established between said offshore quay and said undersea tunnel for transferring said containers vertically between said offshore quay and said undersea tunnel; and   (e) an onshore lift established between said undersea tunnel and said onshore container terminal for transferring said containers vertically between said undersea tunnel and said onshore container terminal.   
     
     
         2 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , further including an offshore conveyor installed on said offshore quay for transferring said containers longitudinally along said offshore quay. 
     
     
         3 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , wherein said offshore lift (or said onshore lift) is a paternoster type installment moving cyclically for transferring said containers vertically, and comprises a plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         4 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , wherein each compartment of said offshore lift (or said onshore lift) is provided with a compartment conveyor for transferring a container horizontally. 
     
     
         5 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , further including relay conveyors for relaying said containers between said offshore quay and the top of said offshore lift; between the bottom of said offshore lift and the offshore-side end of said tunnel conveyor; between the onshore-side end of said tunnel conveyor and the bottom of said onshore lift; and between the top of said onshore lift and said onshore container terminal. 
     
     
         6 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , further including an onshore conveyor installed on said onshore container terminal for transferring said containers on said onshore container terminal. 
     
     
         7 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , wherein relay vehicles transfer containers between said offshore quay and the offshore-side end of said undersea tunnel, and between the onshore-side end of said undersea tunnel and said onshore container terminal. 
     
     
         8 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , further including buffer storages provided for storing said containers temporarily between said offshore quay and the top of said offshore lift; between the bottom of said offshore lift and the offshore-side end of said undersea tunnel; and between the onshore-side end of said undersea tunnel and the bottom of said onshore lift, wherein relay vehicles operate for transferring said containers. 
     
     
         9 . The container transfer port system of  claim 1 , further including a shunting junction provided between the bottom of said offshore lift and the offshore-side end of said undersea tunnel, wherein relay vehicles operate for shunting said containers. 
     
     
         10 . The container transfer port system according to  claims 7 ,  8 , and  9 , wherein each of said relay vehicles being driven by a person comprises a side deck for loading a container, and a transverse crane for transferring the container transversely.