Widening Container Rate Spread Favors Routing Freight through West Coast
A wide coast-to-coast ocean rate spread offers major savings for buyers shifting cargo overland from the West Coast.
Intermodal Drayage
Port Connection
Moving shipping containers over short distances between ocean ports, rail ramps, and warehouses forms the primary connection in the transport chain. In freight logistics, intermodal drayage bridges the gap between different modes of long-haul transportation. This short-haul trucking service typically operates within a limited geographic radius.
Cargo is moved swiftly to prevent port congestion and maintain the flow of trade.
Transfer Mechanism
Execution of these short-distance movements requires specialized equipment and coordinated scheduling. Motor carriers use heavy-duty chassis to haul loaded marine containers from the marine terminal to the rail yard. This transfer occurs through dedicated gates where automated systems log the container number and seal status.
Efficient handovers prevent delays in the scheduled departure of overland trains.
Resource Management
Optimizing the availability of drivers and chassis governs the profitability of short-haul trucking operations. Dispatchers must align driver hours of service with vessel arrival schedules to minimize waiting time at the docks. High turn times at port gates can reduce the number of daily trips a driver can complete, which directly affects the capacity of the fleet.
When congestion increases, carriers often impose detention fees to offset the losses associated with idle equipment and delayed schedules.