Watch: How Containers Travel Between Ports and Warehouses

Video Transcript

“How does a shipping container travel between a port and a warehouse?

This 30-second guide explains drayage—the short-distance movement of freight between ports, rail terminals, container yards, warehouses and distribution centers.

Once the applicable pickup requirements are met, a drayage truck collects the container and completes the local transport leg.

This process may depend on terminal appointments, chassis availability, carrier or customs releases and correct documentation.

Operational delays can contribute to storage, demurrage or detention charges.

For carrier-owned container shipments, the empty container is also normally returned to the designated terminal or container depot after unloading.

Drayage connects long-distance ocean or rail transportation with the next stage of the supply chain.”