Building information modelling (BIM)technology has been gradually accepted and promoted in the waterway industry due to its benefits of collaboration,visualization and multiple drawing production.Civil 3D provides a powerful three-dimensional terrain processing function,which can realize the three-dimensional dynamic design of terrain surfaces,while supporting the drawing function of plan,section and profile sheets.Combining the functions and characteristics of Civil 3D software,taking a container terminal in West Africa as an example,this paper explores the feasibility of grading design in port terminal areas based on Civil 3D.By comparing the traditional grading design methods,this paper summarizes the work flow of using Civil 3D for port terminal areas grading design,and provides a new idea for the promotion and application of BIM technology in grading design in terminal areas.