We often think of logistics as Point A and Point B, with goods leaving one location and arriving at another. But between those two points are many stops and switches that make your supply chain process smooth and on time. One of those tactics used to keep a smooth supply chain is drayage.
WHAT IS DRAYAGE?
In simplest terms, drayage is the transport of goods over a short distance. More often than not, a drayage is a stop on a longer journey. For example, a common drayage is picking goods up from a seaport or airport and delivering them to a warehouse. It could also mean transporting goods to another warehouse, delivery location or port.
Drayage isn’t always just a step on the journey – consider stores or some malls, where drayage is essential for getting goods from a large truck into a store that may not have a loading dock by transferring goods to a smaller vehicle.
Drayage is an essential link in the supply chain process and is a service we offer at MVP Logistics as part of our logistics planning and ground freight services.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DRAYAGE?
Within the rather broad umbrella of drayage, there are a number of specific categories of drayage. According to the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), there are six categories:
· Expedited drayage: Freight containers are transported quickly. This best applies to time-sensitive shipments.
· Inter-carrier drayage: This is what comes to mind first when most people think of the word drayage. It involves the movement of goods between different carriers. As an example, inter-carrier drayage might involve transporting goods from a trucking terminal to a rail station.
· Intra-carrier drayage: Intra-carrier drayage involves taking freight to two different hubs owned by the same carrier. Cargo might be transported from an intermodal hub to a rail hub.
· Pier drayage: Do you need cargo to move from a rail terminal to an ocean shipping dock or pier? You might need pier drayage. This methods uses highways to get freight to the pier.
· Shuttle drayage: Shuttle drayage involves moving an intermodal unit to a temporary stopping point. This method is used when the hub of origin might be overcrowded.
· Door-to-door: Delivery by truck of container to retail customer
What type of drayage you or a supply chain manager will select depends on the type of product shipped, location, weight, cost and deadlines. Our team of supply chain project managers can help you determine what option works best for you. Contact us to get started.
MVP Logistics is your 3PL logistics partner for supply chain project management, logistics, warehousing and fulfillment, LTL, and other supply chain needs. Our Minneapolis, Houston, and Los Angeles area warehouses provides local, national, and international shipping services. Find your solution today.
