SPECIALIZED SERVICE
Hazmat Drayage
Drayage of containers classified as hazardous materials, requiring DOT hazmat endorsement and specific handling, placarding, and routing compliance.
Hazmat drayage refers to the transportation of containers classified as hazardous materials under US DOT regulations (49 CFR). Common hazmat cargo in containerized ocean freight includes chemicals, flammable liquids, compressed gases, corrosives, oxidizers, and certain agricultural products. Not all drayage carriers are qualified to handle hazmat: specific federal requirements apply to the driver, the carrier, and the vehicle.
Drivers transporting hazardous materials in quantities above the threshold requiring placarding must hold a Hazardous Materials (HazMat) endorsement on their commercial driver's license (CDL). This endorsement requires a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check and a written knowledge test. Carriers who transport certain classes of hazmat must also register with FMCSA and pay an annual hazmat registration fee.
Containers carrying hazmat require proper placarding on all four sides in accordance with 49 CFR Part 172. Carriers must have a written hazmat safety plan, provide hazmat-specific driver training, and maintain emergency response documentation (ERG or SDS sheets) in the cab. At port terminals, hazmat containers are often stored in designated areas and have specific gate processing requirements.
From a logistics standpoint, hazmat drayage is more time-intensive than standard container moves: additional documentation, terminal clearances, and routing restrictions (some jurisdictions restrict hazmat trucks on specific roads or through tunnels) extend the pickup-to-delivery timeline. Always confirm a carrier's hazmat endorsement status and registration before booking hazmat drayage.