Storage and distribution system for containers

A shipping container storage and distribution system, comprising:

• an overhead grid guide track structure including a plurality of box beams extending transversely with respect to one another in an intersecting pattern,
• at least one transfer unit moveably mounted to the grid guide track structure so as to be suspended from at least two spaced and parallel first box beams of the plurality of box beams when moving along a first axis and at least two spaced and parallel second box beams of the plurality of box beams when moving along a second axis transverse to the first axis,
• one or more transfer units of said at least one transfer unit including a plurality of carriages for suspending the one or more transfer units from said at least two first box beams and said at least two second box beams, the one or more transfer units further including one or more air compressors secured to a frame, wherein each carriage of the plurality of carriages is connected to an air compressor of said one or more air compressors, each said carriage of the plurality of carriages having an air bearing capable of moving the carriage in a longitudinal and transverse directions without changing an orientation of the carriage within the box beam, each said carriage including a bearing housing with a plurality of openings along a bottom surface of the bearing housing, the air compressor configured to supply pressurized air to the bearing housing via a corresponding shaft of the central frame such that the pressurized air is forced out of the plurality of openings,
• a linear motor system having a stator and at least one rotor, the stator extending throughout the plurality of box beams, and a rotor of said at least one rotor attached to said each carriage of the plurality of carriages of the one or more transfer units, the linear motor system configured to move the one or more transfer units of said at least one transfer unit along said plurality of box beams of said grid guide track structure so as to be moveable in a horizontal plane in both forward-and-backwards and side-to side-motions within the plane.