What Is Drayage? A Beginner’s Guide to Short-Haul Container Moves

Drayage is a logistics term for short-haul trucking that moves freight—commonly containers—between ports, terminals, rail ramps, warehouses, and other nearby facilities. It is often the first or last leg in an international or intermodal shipment and is essential for keeping global supply chains fluid.

What drayage includes

• Port-to-warehouse delivery of ocean containers.
• Rail ramp pick-up and delivery of intermodal containers.
• Container repositioning, empty returns, and chassis exchanges.
• Short-distance hauling that usually covers a range of a few miles to a few dozen miles.

Types of drayage

• Port drayage – Moving containers between a seaport and an inland facility.
• Rail drayage (intermodal) – Hauling containers between a rail ramp and the shipper/consignee’s facility.
• Domestic drayage – Short moves within a metropolitan area not tied to international shipments.
• Drayage for empties – Collecting and returning empty containers and chassis.

How drayage works (step-by-step)

1. Shipment arrival notice: The ocean carrier or rail operator notifies the consignee or broker that a container is available.
2. Booking and dispatch: A shipper, broker, or 3PL books a drayage carrier and arranges a pick-up appointment or gate slot.
3. Terminal access and pickup: The drayage truck arrives at the terminal gate, completes checks, and picks up the container on a chassis.
4. Delivery: The truck transports the container to the warehouse, depot, or consignee location and completes the delivery paperwork.
5. Return/empty move: If required, the carrier may return an empty container or chassis to the terminal or designated yard.

Charges related to drayage

• Drayage fee – The base charge for the truck move, often quoted per container.
• Detention – Fees charged when a shipper holds a container outside the terminal beyond the free time allowed for loading/unloading.
• Demurrage – Terminal charges for containers stored on terminal property beyond the allotted free time (related but distinct from drayage).

Common challenges

• Port congestion – Delays at terminals increase wait times and costs.
• Appointment windows – Strict gate times require careful scheduling to avoid detention fees.
• Chassis availability – Inconsistent chassis pools can cause cancellations or rebookings.
• Regulatory complexity – Local emissions rules, credentialing requirements, and customs holds add friction.

Why drayage matters

Although drayage moves are short distance, they are crucial because they link ocean and rail networks to local warehouses and distribution hubs. Efficient drayage reduces overall transit time, avoids backlog at ports, and can significantly lower total logistics costs.

Example

An importer in a coastal city receives an alert that a container has arrived at the port. The importer or their broker books a drayage carrier to pick up the container and deliver it to a nearby fulfillment center. If the drayage move is coordinated well, the container clears customs, is picked up during a reserved gate slot, delivered quickly, and unloaded without incurring detention or demurrage fees.

Best practices

• Book drayage early and confirm terminal access rules and gate times.
• Use carriers experienced with the specific port or rail ramp.
• Plan for chassis availability, and monitor terminal status to avoid surprises.

For beginners, think of drayage as the short but essential bridge between long-haul shipping and the local delivery network. Getting it right keeps products flowing and prevents costly slowdowns at the edges of the supply chain.