drayage - Supra National Express

How Drayage Trucking Impacts Your Supply Chain

The term drayage is the transport of cargo from an ocean port to a location. “The first mile” is sometimes used to describe moving freight across short distances. Drayage services are vital for the short haul, long haul, door-to-door deliveries, and final destination for pier drayage. Because it enables shipping companies to move their goods across greater distances more affordably, it is a crucial part of the logistics systems. Without drayage trucking, the shipping process would be affected, and companies would be unable to move items from one step to the next.

Drayage is a form of shipping that is growing exponentially in the intermodal association of North America and globally. PRNewswire predicts that the “drayage services market size will grow by USD 2.90 billion.” The time is now to learn and adapt to this strategy in the logistics industry.

Drayage Trucking in Today’s Supply Chain

Services for drayage are crucial to the supply chain. Drayage trucking keeps the supply chain running smoothly by transporting containers from ships to hubs, terminals, or other trucks en route to their next destination. Drayage trucking is the only method available for moving drayage loads from ocean ports or intermodal terminals to the following mode of transportation. It connects the modes of transportation.

The impact of technology on drayage trucking is tremendous. It allows leveraging data, provides analytics and supply chain optimization, and machine learning. These tasks are time-consuming as human functions. However, they take up very little time for artificial intelligence.

Advantages of Drayage Trucking for Your Business

A drayage trucker creates faster and more efficient transportation of goods, which helps reduce import and export costs and overall costs and improves operational efficiency. When working with a 3PL, the number of providers you need to ship from point A to B decreases, putting them in a unique position to negotiate costs. Drayage is often more cost-effective in both time and money.

A 3PL has secure warehousing and distribution when handling and moving cargo that is time sensitive. This enhances safety, security, compliance, and control. A drayage trucker is also a fully trained personnel with the expertise and experience to handle your specific goods and transport needs.

With these combined efforts, there is an obvious advantage for environmental benefits. Using fewer modes of transportation lessens the ecological footprint left behind by the trucking industry.

Challenges and Solutions in Drayage Trucking

Congestion at ports and terminals is a current challenge in drayage. The ports are overloaded, but leveraging a drayage trucker will improve this challenge. Driver shortages are another common challenge in drayage trucking and the shipping industry in general. However, with better treatment and competitive pay, hopefully, the drayage truck driver shortage will no longer be a concern. Also, ensuring that transporters are fully trained in compliance and regulations will help drivers and companies maintain compliance.

Supra National Express invests in current assets and logistics software technology to stay on top of current challenges in the industry. This allows for real-time tracking for logistics and flexible and responsive operations. Their commitment to innovation is unmatched, using a cross-decking system to create a just-in-time shipping operation.

Choosing the Right Drayage Trucker for Your Business

Partnering with an asset-based 3PL like Supra National Express will change your business. This collaboration with a technology-driven and innovative partnership will provide your company with strategic solutions to your supply chain needs and demands.
A few key factors to consider when selecting a drayage trucker are the ability to store goods, communication, multimodal and intermodal shipping, and experience. Research a company thoroughly before making a decision. Ensure that all your business needs and expectations will be met.

Streamline Drayage Trucking Needs With Supra National Express

Drayage is an essential aspect of logistics. This service involves the short-distance shipping of merchandise from one place to another and plays a vital role in the flow of the modern supply chain. It enhances safety, security, compliance, and control while navigating the challenges of the shipping industry.

Choosing the right drayage trucker for your business can seem overwhelming. Remember to consider key factors such as communication and transparency. Request a drayage quote with Supra National Express’ new DrayMaster software today, and put your drayage on autopilot!

Pros and Cons of Container or Truck Drayage in the Logistics Industry

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.

Freight Spend: How Street Turns Reduce Import & Export Costs

Street turns are an increasingly popular shipping method for importers and exporters looking to reduce their freight spend throughout their transportation networks. Now, some are calling for a slight decline in freight rates in 2023, but overall demand is expected to increase. According to Supply Chain Quarterly, “The S&P Global Transearch baseline forecast overall is for freight tonnage to increase 1.36% for 2023.” As a result, more importers and exporters are going to be on the lookout for ways to reduce overhead and stave off the risk of recession or losses. Street turns are the solution.

But what exactly are street turns, and how do they help to lower shipping costs for importers and exporters? In this blog, we will define street turns, explain how they can save money for importers and exporters, provide tips for maximizing the benefits of street turns, and discuss the potential drawbacks of this shipping method, as well as how to maximize their use.

What Are Street Turns?

A street turn occurs when a truck is loaded with a shipment at an origin location and then delivers that shipment to a destination within the same metropolitan area rather than continuing on a long-haul journey. This allows the truck to be used for another local pickup or delivery rather than returning to its origin empty.

Street turns are often used for time-sensitive shipments or have a high value, as they allow for more control and visibility during the shipping process. They can also be a cost-effective option for freight cost management of small shipments or shipments that do not fill an entire truck. Still, it’s essential to consider the landed cost, including import duty and taxes, and how global trade partners can manage those costs through supply chain business intelligence and technology. This makes street turns an ideal solution for warehouse-to-warehouse transfers and milk runs in logistics too.

Importers and exporters are concerned about export and import costs for various reasons. On the export side, export costs can include shipping expenses, tariffs, customs duties, taxes, insurance fees, and other related charges that make international trade quite expensive.

Similarly, on the import side, importers must pay close attention to their import costs to benefit from competitive prices while avoiding any hidden fees or unexpected expenses.

Importers and exporters must understand export and import costs to manage their budgets effectively. Suppose export or import costs are too high. In that case, it could put the business at a financial disadvantage, making it challenging to remain competitive in the global market and alienating potential customers.

How Do Street Turns Reduce Freight Spending for Import and Export Costs?

Traditionally, importers and exporters have relied on long-haul shipping methods, such as ocean or air freight, to transport their goods. These methods can be expensive, particularly for smaller shipments, and may also require additional handling and transportation fees to get the goods to their final destination.

In contrast, the street turns allow for the direct delivery of a shipment to its final destination within a metropolitan area, eliminating the need for additional handling and transportation. This can result in significant cost savings for importers and exporters, particularly for shipments that do not require long-distance travel.

In addition, street turns can often be completed more quickly than traditional shipping methods, making them an excellent option for businesses looking to reduce delivery times. Finally, street turns are generally less environmentally impactful than long-haul travel, as fewer miles are traveled, and the environmental impact of the transit is reduced. These savings can offset the additional expenses of international trade, including tariff rates, duty tariff expenses, and more.

How to Lower Imported Goods Costs.

Leveraging street-turn containers is crucial for reducing freight spending for importers and exporters. However, using street turns can present risks and challenges. A potential drawback is that street turns may only be available in some locations, limiting their use for companies that import or export from areas without sufficient local delivery infrastructure.

Street turns may also involve extra costs for handling and transportation, as shipments may require a transfer between multiple carriers before reaching their final destination. In addition, street turns may increase the risk of shipment damage as goods may be handled by multiple carriers and subject to additional handling and transportation.

Finally, coordinating with multiple carriers for street turns can be challenging; it requires careful planning and communication to ensure efficient and timely delivery. With that in mind, shippers can take a few actionable steps to overcome such risks, including

Identify opportunities to use street turns whenever possible.

Coordinate with a logistics provider to schedule street turns for multiple shipments.

Work with a carrier that specializes in local delivery.

Carefully plan the route and schedule for street turns, considering traffic patterns, delivery window preferences, and special handling requirements.

Use supply chain technology, such as 121 Bermuda, to find the most lucrative street turn containers without spending countless hours searching.

These steps are all mitigating factors that form a complete freight spend analysis and help importers and exporters lower operating costs.

Improve Your Import and Export Operations With Street Turned Containers at Supra National Express

Street turns are a valuable shipping method for importers and exporters looking to reduce their freight spend. By allowing for the direct delivery of shipments within a metropolitan area, street turns can eliminate the need for additional handling and transportation, resulting in significant cost savings. However, it is crucial to consider the availability, costs carefully, and the potential risks of street turns before deciding to use this shipping method. Check out available street turn containers on 121 Bermuda today, and if you’re searching for available drayage rates for your loads, check out Supra National Express’s DrayMaster app today.

Check out available street turns to get started, and don’t forget to get your quote now by trying Supra’s new Online Rate Tool, DrayMaster, and get your quote within a minute:

Or get in touch with Supra’s Sales Team at (424) 267-1155 or by email: rfp@snecorp.com

The Benefits of Digital Truck Appointment Scheduling

For several years, cost control has been a top priority for companies operating in the San Pedro Bay Complex. As port authorities sought to improve efficiency, new fees and charges arose. For the truck drivers and smaller OTR carriers, these fees put both FTL and LTL pickup at the mercy of other factors, including how quickly a destination warehouse could accept a container. Still, the appointments set need to be maintained, and the shipping schedule can evolve based on outside influences. Of course, the true trick is maximizing efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Fortunately, AB 2406, which will take effect on January 1, 2023, aims to prevent excess container storage and detention fees, reports Bill Mongelluzzo of The Journal of Commerce. Still, imports and exporters aren’t out of the woods yet, and carriers are vested in reducing the time equipment is away from port or waiting for pickup with an appointment set through a digital platform. That’s especially true as the shipping schedule evolves in response to disruption.

Digital capabilities are natural as more truckers are looking for proactive ways to handle their appointments and manage their schedules. That’s why Supra Distribution has prioritized digital truck appointment scheduling and works to reduce the hassle of delays at the warehouse or yard. However, a digital way of managing the warehouse will have natural benefits that align with the shipping schedule and will effectively reduce the risk of demurrage for long beach vessel schedule delays too. And drivers and network carriers need to understand the benefits of a digital system for managing gate entry/exit and loading/unloading shipping schedules.

Prevents Truck Congestion.

Reduced truck congestion in your yard and at the gate is among the leading benefits of a digital truck appointment system. Rather than waiting on paperwork to verify authorization and share details with the rest of the team, a digital system identifies the truck, notifies other team members, and ensures everything is ready for pickup or dropoff. This has a natural implication for improved shipping schedule adherence and better warehouse and yard management. Of course, it also depends on the integrity and quality of data shared between your existing systems, including the warehouse management system (WMS), yard management system (YMS), and transportation management system (TMS).

A Safer Pickup and Dropoff

Take a moment to think about a recent incident on the highway involving congested roadways and gridlock. Even in these slow-moving scenarios, accidents still happen, and even more importantly, the risk of an accident increases. Why?

The answer rests with the stop-and-go nature of congestion. People get distracted or do not carefully watch their surroundings. The same applies to a congested yard or warehouse dock. Congestion means hazardous conditions for the truck, driver, and dock workers. However, a streamlined process creates a safer environment for pickup and dropoff, improving adherence with the ship schedule and avoiding delays in overall operations. Further, a clear schedule means that warehouse and gate personnel won’t feel rushed, so they’re less likely to make a mistake that results in a safety issue.

Get Back on the Road Faster

Improved throughput at the yard and warehouse will also help to benefit the overall shipment schedule. Instead of trying to run extra hours once back on the road, trucks arriving and leaving on time will be able to spend more time driving. In turn, that reduces the total accessorial costs for cargo owners, and it benefits drivers at the same time. After all, drive time is the most important factor for so many trucking companies looking to survive.

Around-the-Clock Appointment Set Features

Digital appointment and scheduling tools do not sleep. In other words, they’re available around the clock for drivers and cargo owners to find slots and keep the warehouse operating at maximum levels. In turn, complex loads or hazardous materials can be safely allocated to times when the schedule is less chaotic, further improving safety along the way. This around-the-clock capability also helps drivers stay on time too.

For example, a digital scheduling system for LTL freight shipping, FT, or even containerized goods keps everyone in the know with automated notifications. As a result, truckers know when they need to leave to arrive based on the latest traffic conditions and can also alert downstream facilities when they arrive late. Ergo, it all creates a more efficient truck appointment process that helps to build success throughout the full transportation network, whether for a single LTL shipment pickup for a FTL or moving goods to a nearby rail ramp.

Reap the Benefits of a Digital Truck Appointment Schedule With Supra

There will always be a sense of urgency in the freight market. Today’s truckers deserve to have the latest and greatest technology to help them do more with less. Those facts are alive and well as Supra is working to streamline operations and make it easier than ever for drivers to work with our warehouses and yards. Plus, its benefits will have resounding effects on the downstream supply chain. Learn more about how you can reduce delays while loading and unloading freight by checking out Warehousing and Distribution by Supra, and if you’re ready to tap the power of Supra technology in your next dray, find your next load on the Supra DrayMaster app, and get your quote within a minute:

Or get in touch with Supra’s Sales Team at (424) 267-1155 or by email: rfp@snecorp.com

What Is Drayage Service and Its Qualities?

As globalization continues to change the traditional logistics industry of the past, supply chain professionals have discovered the importance of ocean port health, including drayage. While there are many United States ocean ports, most businesses transport goods to the mega twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Yet according to Bloomberg in September 2022, “There are about 28,000 containers awaiting collection by trains at the biggest US port, a sixfold increase since February.” Let’s take a closer look at how better service from drayage service providers can help solve this conundrum, including its characteristics, value and classifications.

Characteristics of a Drayage Load or Transportation

Drayage service is the process by which a container moves from an ocean port to a nearby location. Though the modes of transportation have developed from the dray horses in years past, this short haul can be accomplished via any intermodal shipping type. The types of dray moves are also dependent on the port’s capabilities. Ocean ports that are near a metropolitan area will struggle with congestion more than remote ports accessible primarily by rail hub.

Additionally, within an invoice context, sometimes dray refers to the fee associated with getting the container to its long haul starting point. At other points, a drayage may be referring to a short truck haul between any two points of longer transportation.

Why Container Drayage Is Important

Freight forwarders and shippers maintain their positions and client relationships through the effective distribution of commodities from one location to another. Shippers must maintain industry connections every step of the way so disruptions can be handled quickly and easily.

Container pickup and dropoff holds an important role within this because most global shipping occurs via ocean. Containers can get stuck for a variety of reasons regardless of how close an intermodal terminal is to the dock. Shippers who can find an available, reliable drayage service are less likely to get their containers stranded at port, like the 28,000 containers mentioned above.

Classifications

The Intermodal Association of North America divides the drayage meaning and purpose into six separate categories as follows:

Door-to-Door Drayage – Containers transported via truck from the port to the end customer’s door.
Expedited Drayage – The prioritized transport of items from port via truck or air.
Inter-Carrier Drayage – The intermodal transport of a container from one location to another within a smaller distance, such as from one rail hub to another via a separate company.
Intra-Carrier Drayage – The intermodal transport of moving freight from one location to another that is completed by the same carrier network.
Pier Drayage – Often considered within reverse logistics, this involves the truck transport from an intermodal hub directly to the pier or dock.
Shuttle Drayage – The temporary relocation of containers from the primary dock to a parking lot when ports are overcrowded.

Not all ports are set up to handle each type. Even still, shippers benefit from gaining clearer understanding of what they should expect from their dray services.

Get a Handle on Your Drayage Service Needs With Supra National Express.

Many who ask, “what is drayage?” consider it simply as a small part of a container’s journey. However, the owners of thousands of containers sitting in Southern California ports beg to differ. Stay ahead of your competitors by keeping your customers happy with quick and effective drayage services from Supra National Express.

Get your quote now by trying Supra’s new Online Rate Tool and get your quote within a minute.

Or get in touch with Supra’s Sales Team at (424) 267-1155 or by email: rfp@snecorp.com

How to Move a Container in 5 Easy Steps

Shippers know that hauling containers can sometimes be more complicated than expected. Different container moving companies have various moving solutions for local and long-distance transportation. When is it best to use a full-service mover versus renting a moving truck? Is it possible that temporary storage options will be required?

Shippers and BCOs must consider these questions proactively unless they want to simply deal with the aftermath. In 2018, container and trailer damage costs were in the billions, according to Brian Straight of FreightWaves, but those costs have likely risen as demand grew since 2020. Proper container hauling can be done in five simple steps.

1. Know the Details of the Container’s Contents

While cargo shipping containers may appear uniform from afar, the size, material, and contents vary. Storage units come at 20 feet long on average, but 40 feet long containers are also common amongst oceanic shipping contracts. Shippers and BCOs must especially consider the length because the logistics of longer containers and high cubes can eliminate certain standardized shipping options.

Additionally, it’s critical to know what the cargo shipping containers hold. Are the contents living? Is it refrigerated? Cargo contents within these two categories would not qualify for transport solutions such as long-term storage. The content details are pertinent long past simply packing and loading, they are essential to ensure the end-to-end transport is stress-free.

2. Ensure You’re Properly Licensed to Use Shipping Container Equipment

Sometimes cargo shipping containers simply need a local move across the yard, street, or city. A moving quote might deter the cost-savvy shipper from wanting to pay for a short-distance full-service move.

A shipper must first decide if they need to rent a specialized forklift or crane to move the container to its final location or onto a truck bed. Then they must consider whether they have a team member with a commercial driving license (CDL). While a CDL is essential for most container hauling, there are certain situations where one might not be needed. With the container’s weight and dimensions in hand, shippers can consult state regulations and the Department of Transportation to determine if it’s within towing regulations.

3. Have a Shareable, Concise, and Well-Thought-Out Plan for Container Hauling

When hauling containers, it’s important to have a distribution plan that is clear every step of the way. Streamlined communication is imperative from the first time loading until unloading at the final destination. Long-distance moves often acquire additional team members to keep in the loop, such as a storage facility or rail hub manager.

A concise and communicable plan is not just about knowing who to communicate with, but what information to share. Staying on top of industry and partnership news will guide shippers to the right documents and data they need for every leg of the journey.

4. Outsource Shipping Container Transport to Experts

The need for a professional rise with the complexity of individual containers. Is it open side? Are the measurements outside of typical sizes? Does it require specific connections to engage refrigeration elements?

Ultimately, when it’s time to move containers, it’s time to call in the experts. Supply chain professionals are in their field for a reason – offering specialized expertise to make your daily job easier. An expert at hauling containers will offer the right insurance options and customer service to ensure that cargo shipping containers go exactly where they need to go every time.

5. Stay in Contact and Track the Status of the Container 24/7

Container transport is more than just getting commodities from one place to another. Timing is key! Constant contact and container visibility protects shippers and BCOs from losing valuable product. Miscommunicated timelines can leave a driver idling for extended times, or even cause a container drop off at an unmanned loading deck.

The right container-moving companies will go above and beyond to ensure their shippers and BCOs have access to their tracking data. With contact opportunities and real-time locations, shippers gain the right tools for the job to conquer disruptions.

Supra National Express enables full visibility of their shipments and cargo documents to speed up the traceability process and enable more dynamic and agile management. Users can:

Search the load history
Check load status: pending, completed or billed
Export load history to CSV or Excel sheet
Check the uploaded documents in the trips of each Load
Check the load details: Arrivals/Departures, Pending Check Points, and Charges

Choose Supra National Express for All Your Shipping Container Needs

Shippers will likely see a variety of techniques when shopping container moving companies and pods offers. Hauling containers across twenty feet or twenty miles requires data, the proper licenses, logistics, the right team members, and constant visibility. Supra National Express understands this which is why they stand out among its competitors as a container-hauling solution. Get your questions answered and your freight moving by Supra today!

Get your quote now by trying Don’t forget to give Supra’s new Online Rate Tool a try as well!

Or get in touch with Supra’s Sales Team at (424) 267-1155 or by email: rfp@snecorp.com

Category: drayage

Drayage Trucking in Today’s Supply Chain

Advantages of Drayage Trucking for Your Business

Challenges and Solutions in Drayage Trucking

Choosing the Right Drayage Trucker for Your Business

Streamline Drayage Trucking Needs With Supra National Express

What Is Container or Truck Drayage?

Pros of Using Container Drayage

Cons of Using Container Drayage

Supercharge Container and Truck Drayage With Supra National Express

What Are Street Turns?

How Do Street Turns Reduce Freight Spending for Import and Export Costs?

How to Lower Imported Goods Costs.

Improve Your Import and Export Operations With Street Turned Containers at Supra National Express

Prevents Truck Congestion.

A Safer Pickup and Dropoff

Get Back on the Road Faster

Around-the-Clock Appointment Set Features

Reap the Benefits of a Digital Truck Appointment Schedule With Supra

Characteristics of a Drayage Load or Transportation

Why Container Drayage Is Important

Classifications

Get a Handle on Your Drayage Service Needs With Supra National Express.

1. Know the Details of the Container’s Contents

2. Ensure You’re Properly Licensed to Use Shipping Container Equipment

3. Have a Shareable, Concise, and Well-Thought-Out Plan for Container Hauling

4. Outsource Shipping Container Transport to Experts

5. Stay in Contact and Track the Status of the Container 24/7

Choose Supra National Express for All Your Shipping Container Needs

Contact Us Today