CORE TERM
Drayage
The short-distance trucking of cargo between a port, terminal, or rail ramp and a nearby warehouse or distribution center.
Drayage refers to the short-distance overland transport of containerized freight, typically moving a shipping container from a seaport, intermodal rail ramp, or inland container depot to a nearby warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing facility — or returning an empty container to the terminal. The term historically referred to low, flat carts (drays) pulled by horses that transported goods short distances in port cities. Today it describes a specialized segment of the trucking industry distinct from long-haul truckload freight.
Drayage moves are typically under 100 miles, often under 50. Because these moves are tied directly to port and terminal operations, they require carriers with specific credentials: UIIA membership for chassis access, TWIC-credentialed drivers for port security zones, and in some states (notably California), engine compliance standards regulated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Drayage is a critical link in the import/export supply chain. A container may travel 8,000 miles from Asia to the Port of Los Angeles, then be stranded for days if no qualified drayage carrier is available to move it the final 30 miles to an inland warehouse. Port congestion, chassis shortages, and driver availability are the most common causes of drayage delays, which trigger costly detention and demurrage fees billed by the shipping line.
Drayage carriers are typically smaller regional operators compared to national truckload carriers. They hold a USDOT number and MC operating authority issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), maintain intermodal equipment access through the UIIA, and are subject to FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) scoring covering unsafe driving, hours of service compliance, vehicle maintenance, and driver fitness.