Drayage may constitute only a small portion of a shipment's journey, but it is a vital element of the transportation industry still the same. Over the past couple of decades, drayage shipping and the drayage market have undergone several changes, with advances in technology driving an evolution in how companies arrange and coordinate drayage for their cargo.

Drayage can be one of the most frustrating aspects of moving freight. Shippers would think that moving freight a short distance wouldn't be a complicated endeavor, but drayage can take much coordination. Additionally, drayage fees can add up quickly, turning a short distance into a costly part of the shipping process.

Let’s cut to the chase; drayage fees stink. They can seriously increase costs for shippers, and it often feels like there’s nothing you can do about them. That a short haul can rack up so many fees makes drayage even more frustrating.

In the midst of peak shipping season, global shippers are busy preparing themselves for the onslaught of holiday orders needed to supply the vast North American consumer landscape. And what they cannot fit in their stores, shippers turn to 3PLs with warehouse and distribution services to provide replenishment when it’s needed most. Some of the most dependable transportation providers out there are ones that have their own brick-and-mortar warehouse facilities, and can provide the middle-mile distribution to ensure supply chains run smoothly no matter what the shipping season might be. This article is intended to inform readers about the variety of extra services that some 3PLs provide shippers on a regular basis. 

For shippers moving containerized freight, it’s frustrating enough that you have to often wait on forwarders to provide you with a rate quote. Even after receiving it, it might sometimes feel like you need a dictionary next to your desk just to decipher the logistics terminology and acronyms in your sea rate quotes. Fortunately, we understand your pain and have compiled a list of supply chain management terms about surcharges that commonly appear in sea freight rates. 

Today’s shippers face a broad range of challenges: unprecedented congestion at logistics hubs, volatile fuel costs, and unreliable access to chassis are forcing shippers to consider new, innovative solutions to persistent problems. Among these challenges is an often-forgotten crisis plaguing logistics operations throughout the supply chain: the driver shortage. According to Supply Chain 24/7, “The truck driver shortfall hit 80,000 drivers in 2021 and is expected to grow to 160,000 by 2030.” With no end to the driver shortage in sight, shippers must reconsider outdated capacity strategies.

On June 16th, 2022, President Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act into law. The law, which represents the first major shipping legislation to come out of Washington in over twenty years, is ostensibly designed to help the U.S. ocean logistics industry remain competitive in a global logistics marketplace increasingly dominated by super-sized carrier alliances. However, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act(OSRA) of 2022 takes bold regulatory actions unexpected by many shippers. With regulatory bodies squaring off against ocean shipping mega-corporations for the first time in over twenty years, what do shippers need to know?

Supply chains across the globe are under pressure as more and more ports become congested, loading times continue to rise, delays occur, and both demurrage and detention fees increase. These issues can be paralyzing or crippling to your business, and finding the right port or container drayage trucking service provider to partner with is crucial.

In a globalized world, countries have become reliant on international supply chains to bring people food, commodities, and other consumer goods. Over 80% of global shipping arrives via containers, which makes drayage service one of the most important modes of transportation in logistics.   

Warehouse managers have a lot on their plate. Maintaining safety requirements with warehouse efficiency adds up to a delicate balance of numbers, products, and the people that make the warehouse more than just a building. Key performance indicators (KPIs) keep track of the effectiveness of the multiple moving parts within each warehouse. KPI tracking provides companies with actionable analytics to guide future expansion, minimize costs and give employees a goal to reach company-wide.