Pros and Cons of Container or Truck Drayage in the Logistics Industry
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Fundamental needs for the logistics industry have traditionally included affordability, reliability, and speedy delivery. These are essential for integrated supply chain optimization. The industry is highly competitive, and offering a streamlined process is vital. 

What is drayage trucking? Truck or container drayage is transporting containers between ports, facilities, rail yards, or other shipping centers across short distances, usually within the same metropolitan region. Trucks are used for drayage transportation, which is typically included in intermodal transport.

A recent article by SupplyChainBrain.com reports that “efficiency has been maximized in drayage. Terminals and port authorities are putting in vast amounts of infrastructure to make sure that we don’t run into bottlenecks again. We’re working ahead of issues and not reacting to them when they occur.” These improvements are enormous for the trucking industry.

Below is a more in-depth answer to the question, what is drayage trucking?  It discusses the pros and cons of using container drayage as a form of transportation.

What Is Container or Truck Drayage?

You might be asking yourself again, what is drayage trucking? It is a service in the logistics industry that entails the movement of shipping containers, also referenced as container drayage. Sometimes it can involve long-haul transport, but typically truck drayage refers to short-haul transportation. 

Intermodal transport involves multiple means of transportation, such as rail, sea, trucking, and air freight. When involving container drayage, there are many transportation optimization strategies involved. Drayage typically starts at a port and moves through intermodal transportation until it arrives at the final destination.

 

Pros of Using Container Drayage

There are multiple advantages to leveraging truck drayage shipping. Ranging from simple to complex, your business will benefit from these pros. 

  • Reduced Risk of Damaged Goods – Loading and unloading is the riskiest time for damage during shipment as multiple hands are involved. With container drayage, goods are sealed, with adequate packaging, and left unopened until delivery, which reduces the risk of damaged goods.
  • Improved Security of Merchandise –  During truck drayage, little interaction occurs with the containers, making it very challenging for items to be stolen. With the leveraging of technology, Real-time tracking for logistics helps all personnel track and manage freight. This is advantageous in that there will not be a need for order replacements, and also by proving your trustworthy and reliable as a logistic provider. This lower risk factor leads to lower insurance premiums. 
  • Fast and Efficient Transportation – Less time is spent loading and unloading at ports because of the usage of containers in drayage. Machinery can quickly transport the containers from the warehousing and distribution center to the truck for transportation to their destination. Container drayage is an effective and efficient way to transport freight over a short distance. Even if there is a driver shortage, there are other shipping options.

Cons of Using Container Drayage

So, what is drayage trucking, and what are its disadvantages? As with most forms of shipping, there are always some cons involved. Read below to see if this type of transportation is what your shipment needs.

  • Unsuitable for Transporting Small Shipments – Drayage shipping containers are typically most effective and cost-efficient when transporting full loads short distances; therefore, smaller shipments and long hauls could be better.
  • Truck drayage generally uses public roadways and railways, making long-haul and international transport less efficient. There are more beneficial and economical logistics systems for those types of transportation. 
  • Truck drayage may exacerbate existing road deterioration and its infrastructure. This leads to more roadway maintenance, inadvertently increasing taxes and operating costs. 
  • Increased Harbor Costs – Harbor fees will increase when ships are forced to dock their bulk loads to stay at port for an unscheduled time. This makes the cost of drayage shipping typically much more expensive. Also, maritime fees and facilities are needed for large containers, increasing the cost. 

Supercharge Container and Truck Drayage With Supra National Express

Are you still asking yourself, what is drayage trucking? This industry has multiple pros and cons. It is up to each company to predict freight demand and decide when to consider container drayage as a viable option for its short-distance transportation. Although it has some disadvantages, container drayage is often the quickest, most economical, and safe option for moving goods for short hauls. Take the guesswork out of your truck drayage situation. Get a quote with Supra’s DrayMaster for your supercharged container and truck drayage. 

truck drayage quotes

PRE-PULL INCREASE – APRIL/2023
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Dear Valued Customer,

 

Effective April 6th, 2023, our Pre-Pull Fee Chassis increased.

 

Fee Type

New Rate
(Effective 4/6/2023)
Pre-Pull

$150.00

 

 

Thank you in advance for your understanding. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your Supra National Express sales representative.

 

Sales Distribution Number – 424-267-1155

 

 

Best Regards,

Humberto Linares
Director of Business Development
562.419.4668 | hl@snecorp.com

Posted: 4/13/2023

FSC UPDATE – APRIL/23
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Dear Customer,

Beginning April 3rd, 2023, our New Fuel Surcharge (FSC), at 36%, will apply to each load pulled by Supra.

Supra National Express, Inc. implemented a new fuel surcharge structure to all drayage shipments in July. The adjustment is made according to the table below.  The fuel surcharge is based on the California price per gallon of diesel fuel as stated by the U.S. Department of Energy in their monthly Monday reports.

You can also check the index at the Federal Energy Department’s website.

    BETWEEN    
APPLICABLE FSC%
****
    BETWEEN    
APPLICABLE FSC%
 $2.00 $2.95 20 $5.56 $5.70 41
$2.96 $3.10 21 $5.71 $5.85   42  
$3.11 $3.25 22 $5.86 $6.05 43
$3.26 $3.35 23 $6.06 $6.20 44
$3.36 $3.50 24 $6.21 $6.40  45 
$3.51 $3.65 25 $6.41 $6.55 46
$3.66 $3.80 26 $6.56 $6.75 47
$3.81 $3.95 27 $6.76 $6.90 48
$3.96 $4.10 28 $6.91 $7.00 49
$4.11 $4.20 29 $7.01 $7.10 50
$4.21 $4.35 30 $7.11 $7.25 51
$4.36 $4.45 31 $7.26 $7.35 52
$4.46 $4.55 32 $7.36 $7.50 53
$4.56 $4.70 33 $7.51 $7.60 54
$4.71 $4.80 34 $7.61 $7.75 55
$4.81 $4.95 35 $7.76 $7.85 56
$4.96 $5.05   ⇒    36     ⇐  $7.86 $8.00 57
$5.06 $5.20 37 $8.01 $8.10 58
$5.21 $5.30 38 $8.11 $8.25 59
$5.31 $5.40 39 $8.26 $8.40 60
$5.41 $5.55    40     

Our FSC will be updated every first Monday of each month and posted on our website: https://www.snecorp.com/blog/

Best regards,

Humberto Linares
Director of Business Development
562.419.4668 | hl@snecorp.com

Posted: 4/3/2023