Drayage, a critical link in the logistics chain, plays a vital role in transporting goods over short distances. In the bustling city of Chicago, efficiency is key. Unilogic integraged solutions are transforming the drayage landscape. Let’s get into what drayage entails and how Unilogic is revolutionizing logistics in the Windy City.
What is Drayage?
When we think of shipping freight, we often think about goods being transported by a ship or a plane. But in reality, there are different ways to move freight, like using transport trucks that travel on roads, a process known as drayage.
Drayage is an important part of the supply chain. It’s a term used in shipping and logistics, and it’s all about moving goods over short distances. While it can be used for small shipments, it’s mainly used by the container shipping industry.
Drayage can involve things like trucking containers from one port to another, taking cargo from a port to a rail yard for the next part of its journey, or even delivering cargo to its final destination. It’s basically about getting freight where it needs to go, quickly and efficiently. Now, some people talk about drayage and intermodal drayage…isn’t it the same thing?
Intermodal Drayage
When people talk about drayage, it’s usually in the context of intermodal shipping. In intermodal transport, goods are packed into standard containers that can easily move from one mode of transportation to another without needing to be repacked.
With container shipping, drayage usually starts at a port. From there, it can take different forms, like moving goods to rail yards or warehouses.Â
Now, before you think of using drayage in order to transport your company’s goods, it’s important for you to understand the different types of drayage services and select the one that best fits your needs. Did you know that according to the Intermodal Association of North America, there are six types of drayage? Let’s check them out.Â
Different Types of Drayage Services
- Shuttle
Shuttle drayage involves transporting an intermodal unit from a port or rail yard to a parking or storage lot when the railway doesn’t have enough space. It’s a way to temporarily store extra containers that couldn’t fit in docks or shipping hubs. Shuttle drayage ensures that goods are kept safe in storage until the next ship is ready to depart.
- Pier
In pier drayage, freight trucks pick up the goods from a rail hub and transport them to a pier or dock where they will be loaded onto a ship.
- Door to Door Drayage
In door-to-door drayage, an intermodal unit is a retail unit that goes straight to the consumer. This type of drayage transports goods directly from the port to the customer’s doorstep. It’s commonly utilized in e-commerce scenarios where door-to-door delivery is provided.
- Inter-Carrier Drayage
Inter-carrier drayage involves moving intermodal units between different carriers within the same metropolitan area. It’s all about transporting cargo between carriers, whether it’s from rail to rail, rail to sea, or sea to rail.
For instance, when goods arrive by ship at the docks, dray trucks take them to their next transportation leg, which could be by railroad. Similarly, cargo that finishes its rail journey might be brought to the ocean port for its next voyage. Inter-carrier drayage keeps the flow of goods moving smoothly between different carriers and modes of transportation.
- Intra-Carrier Drayage
Intra-carrier drayage (not to be confused with Inter-Carrier Drayage) involves moving an intermodal unit from one rail hub to another hub within the same carrier’s network. It’s a short-distance transport typically used within the transport hub itself. This type of drayage is commonly used when goods need to move from one dock to another for boarding a plane or when they need to be taken to the container freight station.
- Expedited
Expedited drayage operates under tight time constraints due to the time-sensitive nature of the freight. This type of drayage swiftly moves goods to their destination, often used for transporting urgently needed cargo. It’s a faster option compared to other types of drayage and is commonly chosen for quick shipping solutions.
Unilogic & Your Drayage Needs
At Unilogic Group, we understand the importance of efficient logistics in today’s fast-paced world. Unilogic boasts independence from the chassis pool. Unilogics private chassis stock allows for unparalleled reliability and drayage solutions that streamline your supply chain and exceed your expectations. Trust Unilogic Group for all your drayage needs in the bustling city of Chicago, and experience the difference our commitment to excellence can make for your business.
