Customers have high expectations for shippers and logistics providers. Therefore, they must find ways to expedite transportation processes to rise above the competition and increase customer satisfaction. Final-mile delivery is currently getting all the attention. However, retailers optimizing the many upstream steps in their supply chain should not overlook pier drayage.

What is pier drayage

Pier drayage is the process of moving shipping containers and cargo by truck from a facility yard or train station to a dock or pier. Pier drayage has made transferring containers overseas much easier and more reliable.

Note that this form of shipping usually takes place in one city. Therefore, the departure and arrival points are not spread out across different states or long distances. To learn more about drayage, read this article. Below are some of the potential charges that typically make up the rate for these services:

  • Fuel surcharges
  • Linehaul rates
  • Chassis return and rental
  • Congestion fees
  • Tolls
  • Pick-up/drop-off terminal charges

While these are some of the most common drayage fees, not all of them are quoted upfront because they’re considered demurrage and detention charges that can change depending on each delivery. You can only choose the right logistics provider for your company once you have all of the information. Therefore, shippers should make sure to ask for a quote estimate that includes all potential drayage charges in order to get the most accurate cost projection ahead of time.

You should also check with your provider to see how they calculate their rates. You should also ask ff they track shipments in transit and what the timeline of the delivery will look like from beginning to end. Without addressing these questions upfront, you won’t be able to create a realistic budget.

Benefits of pier drayage

These specialty logistics services help fill the gaps along intermodal supply chains. Therefore, they are a critical component of transporting large containers. Their ability to streamline transportation is what will keep your deliveries running more smoothly. As an added bonus, any delays that may happen along the way can be quickly resolved, since they cover such little ground.

Basically, pier drayage is the most efficient way to get your freight to its next mode of transport. Carriers that offer pier drayage are also required to have the appropriate bonding and licensing. Therefore, shippers can rest a little easier with the knowledge that their goods will be in vetted, secure hands.

Companies can contract drayage services for the purpose of keeping their cold chains intact with refrigerated container options as well. There are many other types of containers, such as open-top, high cube, flat rack, etc., pier drayage services can also help transport that any top-quality logistics provider should be more than equipped to handle.

With a partner like O’Neill Logistics overseeing your pier drayage needs, you can leverage this information along with our years of experience to optimize container transportation from the Ports of LA/ Long Beach, Port of Savannah, and Port of NY/ New Jersey to improve your bottom line.

About O’Neill Logistics

O’Neill Logistics is a leading 3PL with operations in Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Savannah, GA; and Newark/Monroe, NJ. We service many verticals including Garments, Fashion Accessories, Footwear, Furniture, Home Goods, & Electronics. Additionally, our services include omni-channel distribution and all value-added services. Lastly, we focus on retail “drop shipment” fulfillment and item-level fulfillment services with same-day service offerings.

We have over 2 million square feet which are all state-of-the-art facilities, offer dray services to support the warehouses, and handle distribution to retailers and wholesalers.

Our main drive is to simplify your supply chain by delivering exceptional service and optimizing your operational performance. Therefore, we aim to build, protect and foster strong business partnerships.

O’Neill’s reliable 3PL platform combines sophisticated technology with robust, flexible processing designs and speed-to-market gateway models.