Container drayage shipping mainly deals with the operations of containers that are primarily transported in metropolitan areas or over short distances. It is an essential part of the supply chain. Container drayage shipping is basically accomplished with the help of trucks. Container drayage is part of intermodal transport. This method involves the transportation of freight by sea or land. An essential element in the efficient transportation of containerized cargo from the manufacturer to its final destination or client.
Container drayage shipping is the transportation of goods from trucking terminals to railway terminals in containers. These containers are then carried from the dock to the inland warehouses, from where they are then distributed to the distribution centers, etc. The products are then transported via roads to nearby stores where retail customers can purchase them. Large port cities like Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Baltimore, Seattle, and others have a huge demand for the service. Continue reading in order to find out more regarding container drayage.
The role of container drayage shipping in intermodal transportation
Despite appearing to be a minor link, container drayage is a vital component of the entire supply chain. Every subsequent operation will go smoothly if your cargo is picked up quickly and safely and delivered without incident to the next shipping dock. Basically, for successful container drayage shipping, reasonable tools, and well-organized load planning are essential.
In terms of overall cargo movement, intermodal shipping makes up a sizable portion. At some point during transit, 95% of intermodal freight is transported in containers, as per the statement given by the Intermodal Association of North America. This makes it essential for businesses that ship intermodal to use container drayage shipping services, which are primarily used to haul containers.
The process of intermodal drayage begins with the port, facility, warehouse, or rail point receiving a container with freight. The delivered goods are then divided up, loaded, and transported to their next location. Short-distance shipping as drayage is handled by trucks. As a result, businesses that use container drayage shipping require precise shipment planning and scheduling. That’s where a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can help.
Different kinds of container drayage shipping
As stated by the Intermodal Association of America, there are six different types of container drayage shipping services. These are as follows
Pier Drayage
In this instance, the truck picks up the products from a rail hub and delivers them to a dock or pier. The transported products are then loaded onto the ships.
Intra-Carrier Drayage
Short-haul drayage of this kind is typically used for the intra-transportation of cargo. It is frequently used when cargo needs to be transported to the container freight station or is scheduled to board a plane at another dock.
Inter-Carrier Drayage
The movement of cargo among carriers is referred to as “inter-carrier drayage.” This may come from sea to rail, rail to sea, or rail to rail. For instance, drayage trucks transport cargo that is delivered by ships at the docks to its scheduled railroad transport. The reverse is also true; after being transported by rail, cargo is brought to the port where it will be sent on a ship.
Shuttle Drayage
When too many containers are present to fit in docks or shipping hubs, they are temporarily stored using shuttle drayage. Every day, different loads arrive at these docks, but sometimes there aren’t enough ships to transport the cargo. Until the next ship is prepared to depart, these goods are kept secure in storage by shuttle drayage.
Expedited Drayage
This drayage quickly transports goods where they are required and is frequently used to transport cargo where it is urgently required. When a shipping solution is needed quickly, expedited drayage is frequently used because it is a quicker process than the other types on this list.
Door-to-Door Drayage
This drayage delivers the goods right to the customer’s door from the port. This style of drayage is frequently employed in e-commerce scenarios where door-to-door delivery is provided.
Drayage Fees
In most cases, especially when using intermodal transport methods, drayage fees are included in your total shipping cost. Drayage is an essential component of container shipping, so carriers will include it in their quotes. Always double-check with your forwarder or agent.
Difficulties Faced by Container Drayage Shipping
The container drayage shipping market is a multi-billion dollar sector of the economy. In contrast to this, it encounters numerous difficulties, including supply shortages, long drayage truck turnaround times due to traffic jams in marine terminals, and occasionally a lack of empty shipping containers. Similar to other forms of transportation, container drayage shipping may experience issues that cause delivery delays. However, because the distance is short, drayage operators can efficiently find solutions to these issues.
There are currently a number of TMSs, or transportation management systems, known to drayage companies. They typically connect to an organization’s ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system as part of the supply chain management system. Drayage companies benefit from the better service management that TMSs provide. Back-office operations can be automated, and information can be transferred while also enhancing customer interaction. Some of them even assist drivers in locating secure parking spaces. Drayage is therefore a crucial component of shipping and distributing goods around the world.
The intermodal shipping process is completed by a number of procedures and modes of transportation, all of which help move your cargo from one location to another. Container drayage shipping is one of them. Drayage enables a more effective method of transporting cargo and guarantees that your products are delivered when and where they should be. The entire container shipping process is connected and linked by it.