Drayage isn’t a term most people are familiar with, but if you work with cargo and/or in the trucking industry it’s perhaps a known word. Drayage is the transportation of shipping containers by truck to its final destination. Typically, cargo will be taken off a ship and then put on a truck to be delivered where it needs to go. A drayage company can help make this process happen smoothly and efficiently.
Cargo gets shipped from one place to another, and it often ends up in a port, rail yard or distribution center. Then it’s up to a drayage company to get that cargo to its final destination using trucks.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Drayage Company
Want to make sure you’re working with the right drayage company? Then you’ve got some things to consider. For instance, how long has the drayage company been in business? If they’ve been around a long time, that helps prove they’re reliable and can be trusted to do the job. Over time, they’ve established a track record. They also have built relationships and can handle regulations, permit requirements and more. There are some other things to consider as well.
How much cargo do you have to transport? You’ll want to work with a drayage company that can handle the volume of cargo you want moved. They need to have the right equipment to do the job as well as personnel available to drive the trucks and meet your needs. What’s their fleet size? What kind of trucks do they use? Can those trucks haul sealed ocean container loads weighing, say, 65,000 pounds? Does the company have permits to do the work legally and properly? Are they particularly good at moving heavy loads? Capacity is a key thing to consider when choosing the right drayage company.
You’ll want to check for safety violations or accidents. That way you’ll know if the company you plan to go with will likely get the goods moved with no problems… or not. Check reviews and references. Ask for customer opinions. Inquire about proof of insurance. Ask to see their safety records.
Go with a company that values customer service and is attentive to your needs. Of course pricing and billing matter, too, but put an emphasis on whether they answer their phone/emails promptly or not. You should feel like a drayage company is there to meet your needs, rather than feeling like you’re being ignored or given the runaround.
If you’re looking for a third party logistics partner to provide you with the drayage services your company needs, reach out Affiliated Warehouse Companies for a free online quote.
