This paper introduces some of the developments related to the handling equipment in container terminals and various new conceptual handling systems that have been proposed during the last several decades. The basic ideas behind the previous equipment improvements are analyzed to identify future directions that can be used for devising new handling systems. The handling systems in the container terminals include a quayside handling system, transport system, and yard system. In response to the deployment of mega-sized vessels for container transportation systems, productivity improvement has become one of the most urgent issues in the container terminals. This paper analyzes the previous improvements made for achieving higher productivity in the three subsystems of container handling. Some conceptual handling systems are introduced including the linear motor conveyance system (LMCS), automated storage and retrieval systems (AR/RS), overhead grid rail (GRAIL), SPEEDPORT, SuperDock, the automated container system by ZPMC (ACS-ZPMC), and AUTOCON.