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What Is Container Drayage?

a ship at the dock with containers on it

Drayage is a vital logistics service that picks up shipped goods from entry ports before delivering them to a warehouse or other storage solution. This term usually describes loading and unloading large metal containers onto ships, trucks or railcars, effectively transporting various products and supplies. 

Importance of Drayage in Your Supply Chain 

Partnering with a reliable container drayage company is an important step in your supply chain. If you regularly ship materials, products or supplies, drayage will streamline your workflow by decreasing the risk of traffic congestion around ports. Many drayage service providers also understand how to effectively adjust routes through real-time tracking to minimize the threat of project delays and higher transportation costs. 

Overall, drayage is a valuable service that will optimize your supply chain to ensure the smooth movement of goods from creation to consumer. 

Types of Drayage

Cargo comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations, so it is crucial to have access to the correct type of drayage services. The kinds of drayage 3PL providers most commonly move include: 

  • Rail: This service requires moving drayage containers from receiving areas within a rail yard to other locations, such as ports or distribution centers. 
  • Port: Port drayage transports containers short or long distances from shipping ports to warehouses, distribution centers and other locations. 
  • Intermodal: Intermodal drayage services involve using multiple transportation methods to successfully deliver cargo, including rail, sea and air channels. 
  • Expedited: This phrasing refers to the drayage services utilized to meet quick turnarounds and tight deadlines. 
  • Last-mile: These services are used during the last step in the supply chain and focus on delivering cargo directly to the final destination or consumer. 
  • Hazardous materials: This specialized drayage service type is used to successfully handle dangerous materials that must adhere to strict procedures and regulations. 

Contact Allen Distribution to Learn More About our Drayage Services

Access to premium drayage services is a great way to enhance your supply chain and ensure your assets get to where they need to go. Allen Distribution is a leading 3PL provider specializing in port container drayage services to successfully transport your containers from various ports around the country, moving them to destinations within 150 miles. Our asset-based transportation solutions provide our clients with unrivaled flexibility and control over their deliveries. 

If you are searching for a dependable logistics partner, you can count on the team at Allen Distribution to help. Contact our team online to learn more about how we can help today. 

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