The Equipments used while loading and discharging cargo is called a Cargo Handling System. It is very necessary to have a supportive infrastructure to move the cargo to and fro from port to ship and vice versa. Apart from ships, ports also have cargo handling systems like cranes, forklifts etc. Usually harbor pilots, barges and tugboats are facilitated to bring large ships in tight quarters making it easy in cargo movement. Entry to other transport systems through rail and truck terminals also adds to the easy access or movement of cargo.

Crane, the lifting machine consists of winder, wire ropes and chains that helps to heave and lower loads. Cargo Cranes are designed to handle and lift cargoes and it ranges from standard designs to special designs which hold more than 200 tonnes either as single lift or as twin crane design. Its basic design marks to be rigid with integrated hydraulic power pack, fail safe brakes and dual pump system etc. While derrick, another cargo handling equipment is described to be the machine hoisting cargo with a movable boom along with cables and pulleys. Derrick was named so with its similarities to the type of gallows from which a hangman's noose hangs and the derrick type of gallows received name from Thomas Derrick, the executioner of Elizabethan era. Apart from crane and derrick, conveyor system is also used for the easy movement of load or cargo. Conveyors are helpful to move materials from one level to another can be fixed anywhere and are proved to be much safer than other machines. It can be used in various formats like hydraulic, mechanical and fully automated systems etc.