Drayage is a critical element of modern shipping and logistics. Whether you're managing international imports or domestic distribution, understanding drayage and its applications can improve the efficiency of your supply chain.
In this article, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of drayage shipping and its importance for shippers and carriers.
Drayage services are used to move containerized goods over short distances, typically by truck. It connects different modes of transportation, such as moving a shipping container from a port to a rail terminal or warehouse. In the image below, you can see a basic example of how this process works at a port.
Since drayage usually takes place directly after a containerized shipment reaches its port destination, it is sometimes referred to as first-mile shipping. This contrasts with final mile shipping, which is the last leg of a product’s journey to its end user.
This service is an important part of intermodal shipping, where multiple types of transportation (truck, rail, air, etc.) play roles in a given shipment.
Although these are both short-haul services, they differ in the following ways:
It’s also worthwhile to compare drayage to the general practice of freight shipping itself.
Related: Drayage vs. Cartage: A Complete Overview
Drayage can be thought of as part of the overall freight shipping process. The difference between the two can be summarized as follows:
The practice of drayage shipping can also be distinguished from other forms of freight shipment by the equipment drivers use.
While over-the-road freight shipping uses semi trucks, trailers, and trains to move goods across long distances, drayage requires specialized equipment to handle container transportation.
Some of the equipment used includes:
The specific equipment used can vary based on the type of drayage service. For instance, some chassis trucks are equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks to power refrigerated containers for temperature-sensitive goods.
Drayage services vary based on specific needs. The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) defines six classifications:
Let’s break down how these short-distance delivery practices differ.
This process moves containers directly from the terminal to the customer’s location. It’s often used for retail deliveries.
Example: A retailer receives a shipment of goods at a port terminal. A door-to-door drayage service delivers the container directly to the retailer’s distribution center for processing.
Expedited drayage is used to handle time-sensitive shipments that rely on rapid transport.
Example: In order to keep a production line running, a manufacturer uses expedited drayage to ensure a container of raw materials reaches the factory quickly.
A carrier transfers containers to off-site storage facilities when terminal space is limited.
Example: Ports often experience high congestion with limited storage space. Shuttle drayage moves incoming containers to a nearby holding yard, freeing up terminal capacity for new arrivals.
Moves containers between different carriers or transport modes, such as from one rail terminal to another.
Example: Shipments arrive at a rail terminal operated by one carrier, but need to switch to a different rail line for final delivery. Inter-carrier drayage is used to execute this transition.
IMX drayage is used to transfer containers within the same carrier’s network, such as between two of its rail hubs.
Example: A rail carrier manages multiple terminals within a metropolitan area. Intra-carrier drayage moves containers between these hubs to optimize routing and ensure timely delivery.
Focuses on moving containers between a rail terminal and a shipping port.
Example: Containers scheduled for exporting need to be moved from a rail terminal to the port so they can be loaded onto a cargo vessel. Pier drayage is used to accomplish this task.
While not specifically defined by the IANA, the term “intermodal drayage” is often applied to services that specifically move a container from one mode of transport to another over a short distance.
Drayage is essential to a cost-efficient and fluid supply chain. Its importance can be distilled into three basic benefits, which are:
While the final mile is often considered the most important part of the shipping process due to its customer-facing nature, drayage in the first mile is just as important for timely deliveries.
Drayage costs depend on several factors, including:
Like any other form of shipping, drayage rates can also fluctuate almost daily based on fuel prices and driver availability.
Related: How to Calculate Drayage Rates
No matter what form of drayage your shipment requires, partnering with experienced logistics professionals will offer you peace of mind and let you focus on business growth and customer satisfaction. That’s where we come in.
USA Truckload Shipping offers tailored drayage solutions to meet your business’s logistics needs. We also offer a full suite of freight movement services, including:
Ready to streamline your supply chain with expert drayage services? Contact USA Truckload Shipping today for a hassle-free quote. Give us a call at (866) 353-7178 or visit our website to learn more. We’re standing by to help you move your shipments safely and punctually.
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