The purpose of the prestudy was to create the prerequisites for cost-effective terminal handling of several types of intermodal load carriers by developing a concept for a new contrivance or device for forklift handling of intermodal load carriers which eliminates the risks of damage and safety which arise during forklift handling of intermodal load carriers. One aim was to make it possible to use this type of handling for bigger load carriers than today's Class C. It was also the intention to speed up handling at the terminals by using forklifts, while at the same time it was expected that the cost of lifting would be significantly lower with forklift handling compared to the present lifting methods using top-lifting and gripping arms respectively. The prestudy showed that the advantages of forklift handling of intermodal load carriers are many and to a large degree financial which is confirmed by case studies in Norway and Sweden where large flows of Class C containers and swap-bodies are handled by forklift. Moreover, experience from earlier studies confirms that forklift handling of intermodal load carriers is advantageous both from a financial perspective and from an efficiency point of view. The prestudy has also indicated that the utilisation of the handling equipment can be made more efficient at the same time as the terminal's accessibility is increased provided that forklift handling is further developed together with other complementary equipment. The study has indicated that it is possible to further reduce the handling costs at intermodal terminals if the bearing capacity demands of the underlying ground at new terminals can be reduced by only using light counterweight trucks with lower axle loads than today's trucks. With the proposed large load carrier, named Class C+, with a length of 10-11 m and a gross weight of 20-22 tons, it is assumed that the number of intermodal handling actions would be reduced for a given volume of goods compared to using the swap-body Class C or semitrailer. Another advantage of this type of load carrier is that two units make good utilization of the long, heavy vehicles used for road transports in Sweden.