What is Drayage and How Does It Work?

What is Drayage and How Does It Work?

The transportation of goods over a relatively short distance is known as drayage. It is frequently a component of a larger-scale relocation. Things such as the transfer of freight from a container ship to a warehouse, for example. While the final destination is the warehouse, the container must get to the truck or rail to start that journey. That’s where a drayage agency comes in.

The term “drayage” refers to the process of transporting freight from a port to a truck or rail line instead of taking the shipment directly from the port to a warehouse. It is typically a short distance that can be traveled in approximately one to two hours, and as a result, it is almost always located within the same geographical area.

Drayage Containers

Drayage moves are typically made in a circular fashion. This is because there is an emphasis placed on returning a container. 

Our drayage specialists coordinate the delivery of the container to a nearby inland location after it has been picked up from the port by a truck. When the contents of the container have been removed, the empty container is typically transported back to the port by truck so that it can be loaded onto a ship.

Sometimes, shipping containers that have recently been emptied are given directly to an exporter. This is done rather than being returned to a marine terminal, which would send them back out for export use. This maneuver is known as a “street turn.” It allows drivers to make more turns while simultaneously assisting in reducing congestion at ports.

Why Is Drayage Necessary?

Drayage may appear to be a relatively unimportant step in the process. However, it is actually an essential component of the larger logistics puzzle. The goal of effective supply chains is to ensure that the flow of goods continues uninterrupted. This allows everyone to fulfill the requirements of an expanding global trade market. Congestion and bottlenecks are two common problems that can be assisted with drayage services.   When the first mile of delivering a product goes without a hitch, the rest of the journey stands a chance of success.

Customers can save money by using drayage. When the containers are unloaded onto a truck or train, the empty can be immediately returned. This allows the freight to travel without the container, which is the property of the shipping company. 

Customers favor using containers to transport their freight from the point of origin to the point of destination because containers make it possible to transport large loads (such as metals, fiberglass, and automobiles) over considerable distances with little to no damage. However, these large containers are the property of shipping companies. Generally, the shipping company will charge customers a fee to use the containers.

Assist in the Return of the Shipping Containers

These huge multinational shipping companies want their containers returned to them. They typically reuse them by reloading them with new goods in subsequent shipments. Additional fees will be assessed to the customer’s account in the event that the container is not returned within the allotted amount of time.

Customers who have access to a dray broker may find that they save both time and money as a result of using this resource. It is essential to cultivate relationships with carriers specializing in drayage hauls to fulfill your transportation needs.

PM Logistics Services can transfer your goods from the ship to the waiting trucks and trains. This allows the ports to flow much better and be more efficient overall.   This saves your company time and money.

FAQs About Drayage

Dray brokers focus on volume. This means we make a greater number of smaller moves in a shorter period of time. Our drayage brokers and specialized agents have relationships with a subset of carriers that are able to complete these short hauls because they have the necessary staff and equipment.

The total load weight as well as the dimensions of the container. Are the contents cold or at room temperature? Are the contents potentially dangerous? When exactly do you need us there?

Customers should, ideally, give advance notice of drayage loads at least four to five days in advance. Some customers do not engage the services of a drayage company until the load has already arrived at the port. It is in your best interest to coordinate drayage service with your broker as quickly as possible if you want to get the best pricing and reduce the amount of time that your container spends sitting at the port or rail yard.

Call PM Logistics Services for your Charleston SC Drayage Needs

Drayage is an invaluable asset to the transportation industry. It can provide businesses with a cost-effective and efficient way to move their goods from the ship to another method of transport.

South Carolina drayage services are especially beneficial for companies shipping cargo within the state and between ports out of state. With years of experience in managing drayage services, PM Logistics Services is an excellent provider for your transport needs.

Our team can provide detailed information on port rules and regulations, assist with paperwork requirements, identify cost-saving opportunities, and help you manage your freight movement more efficiently than ever before. Contact us today to learn more about our great South Carolina drayage services.

While we discussed our drayage shipping, we also provide a vast variety of shipping services to meet the needs of our clients. Our trucking team understands the importance of offering a variety of shipping services to assist our customer’s needs. In addition to offering unique drayage shipping, we also have a fleet of dump trucks that can assist landscapers and those alike looking for large amounts of dirt, sand, and other landscaping material to be delivered. If you are in South Carolina and are looking for a drayage company, contact us today. Let’s see what  PM Logistics Services can do for you.

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