Terminals are important activity systems that fall into core and ancillary categories. While core characteristics refer to what a terminal needs to operate, such as infrastructure and equipment, ancillary characteristics tend to be more value added. They also play an important role in the differentiation of terminals since they shape their functional and operational characteristics. Core characteristics are replicable as they imply capital investments in relatively standard technologies, infrastructure, and equipment. Ancillary characteristics are more linked with a policy framework as well as the regional economy, local initiatives, and clustering effects.