Truck drivers could load containers and drive right out of the port, bribing the customs police to let them through without checking documents.

Many shippers contend that the port operators form an oligopoly that overcharges the shipping lines for loading containers.

That's for loading containers?

An operator would load containers onto Dashaveyor cars, which would then enter a tunnel to move them at high speed to the shore.

"Our men earn $300 a month loading containers that American stevedores unload for $5,000 a month."

And humans still run the cranes that load and unload containers from ships.

A Rubber tyred gantry crane is another device for loading containers on to trucks (as well as around the port).

I loaded heavy containers that contained everything from steaks to clothes.

Used for loading containers on to ships, the high profile of the boom provided pale shelter from the powerful winds.

Port operators make money by charging fees for loading and unloading containers from ships.