Many machines were developped for transferring containers from one modality to another modality.

The smaller devices for transporting and lifting containers are Forklifttrucks, Reachstackers and empty containerhandlers.

These machines are equipped with spreaders, with which containers can be fastened to the cornerblocks and lifted.

In combined traffic sometime the handlingequipment is equipped with cargobeams, with which the containers can be lifted by hooking into the bottomrail.