Building Resilience: Overcoming Challenges in Drayage

Drayage, while a background player in the shipping process, plays a starring role in streamlining logistics. Drayage providers work behind the scenes to ensure there is adequate chassis capacity at the ports to quickly and efficiently move containers in and out and then manage those moves to get the cargo to the next mode of transportation.  

An estimated 60 million drayage moves occur annually in North America, with the market size pegged at $50 billion. That’s a lot of dollars for a supporting player.

While the drayage process “may seem minor, it is a linchpin in the supply chain,” a South Florida Reporter article said. “Without efficient drayage services, goods can face delays, creating bottlenecks in port operations and affecting the flow of commerce.”  

Drayage moves are usually over short distances and are intricate steps that facilitate the movement of freight between transportation modes. After a container is offloaded from a ship, it’s typically placed on a chassis and trucked to a yard, where it can be transloaded onto a rail car or the cargo can be loaded into a truck for delivery.  

Common Challenges in Drayage Operations

The supporting player’s role can be a difficult one.

“The efficiency of drayage operations directly impacts the overall performance of the supply chain,” a Medium blog said. “Delays or inefficiencies in drayage can ripple through the entire logistics network, affecting delivery times and customer satisfaction. Therefore, understanding and optimizing drayage processes is crucial for logistics professionals and businesses engaged in international trade.”

There are numerous challenges in drayage operations, including:

• Coordinating drayage transportation with container ship schedules.
• Managing fluctuating freight volumes.
• Adapting quickly to port delays and congestion.
• Scheduling appointments.
• Optimizing gate moves and terminal operations.
• Dealing with outdated processes and technology.
• Avoiding demurrage and detention fees.
• Ensuring the safety and security of goods while in transit.
• Quickly returning empty containers to the ports for the next load.

Effective Solutions to Drayage Challenges

“The seamless movement of containers ensures that the port functions efficiently, benefiting businesses across various industries,” the South Florida Reporter said. “By bridging the gap between ocean freight and land-based logistics, drayage enables smooth transitions for goods on their journey to final destinations.”

For shippers, the best way to ensure the seamless movement of containers is to partner with an expert. Expert drayage providers:

• Track, trace, and make necessary adjustments in real time.
• Monitor required temperatures of cargo.
• Work with shippers on strategic planning and forecasting.
• Utilize the latest advanced technology.

“For logistics professionals, understanding and leveraging these technological advancements is crucial for optimizing drayage operations and gaining a competitive edge in the market,” the Medium blog said. “The future of drayage is likely to be increasingly technology-driven, with successful providers and shippers being those who can effectively harness these innovations to improve efficiency, reliability, and customer service in their intermodal logistics operations.”

At VCPB Transportation, we are at the forefront of providing innovative solutions with the most advanced technology. By utilizing technology, real-time adjustments can be made, temperatures are better tracked, and routes are quickly adjusted to be more efficient. We leverage technology to efficiently handle a myriad of drayage issues, including:

• Containers requiring expedited intermodal routing.
• Containers needing expedited over-the-road transfer.
• Commodities, like alcohol, that require special handling.
• One-way inland door deliveries.
• Pier-pull transloading to domestic intermodal or over-the-road transport.
• Short- and long-term container storage.

VCPB is a one-stop shop that executes every step of the transportation process, from pier pickup to customer delivery.

VCPB Delivers Solutions to the Most Challenging Drayage Issues

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At VCPB Transportation, we provide comprehensive drayage management solutions, ensuring shippers’ goods are transported safely, securely, and on time. We offer our customers:

• Coordinated and streamlined drayage moves.
• The right equipment for the job and a network of fully vetted and insured carriers.
• Expert and immediate support from appointment scheduling to pickup to delivery.
• Real-time tracking for complete transparency.
• Cost-effective solutions tailored to each customer’s needs.

In addition to drayage, we’re experts at transloading, expedited shipping, produce transportation, intermodal services, temperature-controlled trucking, and overweight and oversized freight. We do whatever it takes to get the job done. Start shipping with VCPB Transportation today.

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