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Selecting a Drayage Provider in California

Selecting a Drayage Provider in California

When selecting a drayage services provider in California for your requirements, you need to search for asset-based intermodal trucking companies who are port-centric and who have extensive experience in multiple-hub cargo moves and intermodal transportation. Key benefits to be mindful of when researching providers online should also include identifying (Nothern/Southern California) facilities close to major ports that are customs bonded, and fully insured with the options of having dedicated account representatives to assist with handling your standard/complex requirements. 

 

These key components when selecting the right drayage services provider are essential for your company to save costs and to help ensure peace of mind that your freight is handled professionally from beginning to end. Shipping and transporting freight is not always a straight line when it comes to your supply chain requirements- you need experts to help manage and customize solutions based on your needs. Here is a list of other service benefits you should consider when selecting the right drayage services provider:

 

Transloading: search for an over-the-road ("OTR") transloading provider that has years of experience in transporting and shipping goods internationally from one inland point to another. This service can also help you avoid equipment storage and/or demurrage charges. 

 

Cross-docking: search for a provider that has local warehousing and distribution facilities close to all major ports that also specializes in logistics procedures where products from a supplier or manufacturing plant are distributed directly to a customer or retail chain.

 

Intermodal transportation: search for a company that owns equipment including trucks, trailers, and chassis that also has experience in complicated container moves utilizing rail, ship, and intermodal trucking. Finding a provider that specializes in domestic rail service to all major railyards is an added benefit as well.

 

Dependable's asset-based harbor and intermodal transportation division handle all nationwide drayage moves for containers coming from or going to West Coast seaports. In addition to container drayage, we specialize in complex multiple-hub cargo moves through multimodal transportation strategies with complete warehousing and distribution services via our warehousing division.

 

Learn more about DHE's Harbor Drayage/Intermodal services today!

 

Harbor Drayage

Harbor Drayage

Selecting Drayage Companies with added Service Benefits

 

Moving your valuable freight and merchandise to its final destination is challenging. When shipments are missed or delayed, how do you overcome these obstacles and swiftly? In this rapid-paced business environment, we all know things can happen- weather delays, vessel delays, rerouting freight,  just to name a few. In today’s competitive market of harbor drayage companies, it's essential that you select a company with a proven track record who can provide other value added services and unique benefits besides standard drayage to help streamline your shipments and fast.  For example, if you are shipping throughout the West Coast region, especially in Southern California, you will need a reliable company with facilities close to all major ports who can provide flexible transportation options should problems occur, and customizable solutions to help lower costs and stay within budget.

 

Selecting an asset-based intermodal trucking company who specializes in import/export container drayage with added service benefits including transloading, multimodal transportation, overweight corridor accessibility,  cross-docking, and warehousing has proven to be a successful option for businesses looking to optimize their supply chain and meet their goals. As mentioned above, problems can happen during one aspect of transporting your goods or throughout the entire process of the shipment.  You might need to cross-dock and store your freight in a warehouse to meet your deadlines. When you partner with an experienced company who can provide multiple services other than standard drayage, there is a higher likelihood of significant cost-savings in rates, added value of working with an industry expert who can assist with problem-solving, and the peace of mind of working with one reliable source versus multiple sources.

 

Dependable's asset-based harbor drayage, intermodal trucking and intermodal transportation division handles all nationwide drayage moves for containers coming from or going to West Coast seaports. In addition to container drayage, we specialize in complex multiple-hub cargo moves through multimodal transportation strategies with complete warehousing and distribution services via our warehousing division.

California Intermodal Shipping

California Intermodal Shipping

California Intermodal Shipping

Shippers in California are faced with a choice between direct trucking or intermodal trucking. Intermodal freight transportation involves two or more modes of transportation. This process could be a combination of sea, rail, road, and air. Packages are usually transported in intermodal containers, which are used across each platform, preventing the need to offload and on load at terminals. When inland, the choice is usually between road transportation, using trucks, or a mix of road and rail transportation. Businesses tend to lean towards a decision that limits the disadvantage of a single mode, like road and affords the benefits of another mode, for example, rail. 

Benefits of Intermodal Shipping

The advantages of intermodal transportation can be effective when this method is selected accordingly to your business strategy. We will look at some of these cases later in the article.

Saves Time: 

Intermodal trucking saves time that can be lost to speed limits, mandatory breaks, weighs stations, and unfavorable traffic patterns encountered over long distances.

Cost Effective

The addition of rail transportation into the process cuts down the high costs associated with road trucking. High fuel costs for drayage, personnel, and handling can all be reduced by a flexible intermodal model.

Safe and Secure

The use of GPS trackers in rail cars and the presence of consistent railroad police have made rail transportation a lot safer than others. Integrating it into road transportation will reduce the chances of packaging becoming lost. 

Eco-friendly

Intermodal trucking could reduce up to a third of the road transport CO2 emissions depending on how much road trucking is involved.

The difference with Multimodal Shipping

When you decide to use multiple modes of transportation, there is still a choice to be made between intermodal shipping and multimodal shipping. Both are similar in that your package will be transported using different modes of transportation. However, they differ on the bases of the contract. Multimodal makes use of a single contract with a single carrier who takes liability for all the modes of transportation from source to destination. The key benefit here is that it is easy to track, as it uses a combined transport bill of lading. In case there are any issues, the shipper can hold one carrier responsible. 

Intermodal shipping, on the other hand, will require separate contracts for the carriers at the different points along the supply chain. This is ideal for flexibility because the shipper can decide which carrier, at each point, meets their key criteria regarding cost and services offered. 

When to choose Intermodal Transportation

There are certain moments when Intermodal shipping is best suited for your business. One example is when your shipments need to travel long distances, especially if it takes more than one day to transport by truck. Also, if your business will be shipping in a reoccurring pattern, that is, similar quantities through the same route, Intermodal transportation is ideal.