What is drayage?

Drayage is the short-haul trucking transfer of goods from ports to first destinations inland, the first journey from container ships to rail yards, warehouses, or storage lots. Drayage also refers to any short distance connection between different modes of long-haul transport and sometimes delivers freight to order fulfillment warehouses.

Drayage Classifications

According to the Intermodal Association of North America, drayage can be split into the following categories:

Inter-carrier drayage – The movement of units over a short distance between different carriers, such as with trucking and railroad stations.

Expedited drayage – Units are transported over-the-road in a quick and efficient manner for time-sensitive material goods.

Intra-carrier drayage – Similar to that of inter-carrier, intra-carrier takes freight from a rail hub to an intermodal hub, all controlled by the same carrier.

Door-to-door drayage – Retail units are taken to a customer through roadways.

Shuttle drayage – An intermodal unit is temporarily taken to a parking lot from its hub of origin, with this method being used for both loaded and empty units when overcrowding in the hub occurs.

Pier drayage – Utilizing roadways, takes an intermodal unit to a dock or pier from a previous rail hub.

What is a drayage truck?

Drayage trucks are a large semi-trailer truck used for transporting goods from one location to another that are typically diesel-fueled, heavy duty trucks. Drayage trucks transport containers and bulk freight between port and intermodal rail facilities, distribution centers, and other locations.

Contact SP Logistics today for drayage services in Seattle Tacoma ports.