Stacking Height (1-over-X): Definition

Stacking height is how many containers high a piece of port equipment can stack or retrieve. It is a core spec for reach stackers, gantry cranes, and empty container handlers, because it sets how densely a terminal can store containers in a given footprint.

The 1-over-X notation

Stacking height is often written as "1-over-X". The "1" is the container the machine is carrying, and "X" is the number of containers already stacked below it. So 1-over-5 means the machine can place a container on top of a stack five high, giving six containers in total.

Typical figures

• Reach stacker: 4 to 6 containers high
• RTG / RMG gantry crane: 1-over-5 to 1-over-7
• Empty container handler: 7 to 9 high (empty boxes)

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