Drayage is a short-distance transportation method that moves shipping containers between ports, rail yards, and warehouses. It covers the first and last mile of a container's journey and connects ocean and rail freight with the trucks that complete the delivery. Most drayage moves stay within a single metro area or region and are scheduled around terminal appointment windows.

Drayage is a short-distance move that transfers containers between transportation modes, while long-haul trucking carries freight hundreds or thousands of miles from origin to destination. Drayage usually serves as the connecting step at either end of an ocean or rail shipment, while long-haul trucking, such as full truckload (FTL) shipping, handles the main over-the-road portion of the trip.

Transloading is the process of transferring freight from one mode of transportation to another, such as from an ocean container or railcar onto a truck. It often occurs at a warehouse or transload facility near a port or rail terminal and requires specialized equipment like forklifts and loading docks to handle cargo safely. Shippers use transloading to move international cargo into domestic trailers or to return ocean containers to the port sooner.

BBI Logistics pairs a dedicated team of drayage experts with service at all major U.S. and Canadian ports and railways. Our team handles specialized freight such as hazmat and refrigerated containers and manages each move from port to door, which lowers the risk of delays and unexpected costs for shippers. BBI also has access to a network of more than 70,000 carriers across its full range of freight services.

Shippers can start working with BBI by submitting a quote request. Request a quote and our team will reach out to learn more about your container moves and timing so we can get your freight moving.

Intermodal shipping moves freight in a single container across two or more modes of transportation, most often rail and truck, while drayage is the truck portion at the beginning and end of the trip. In a typical domestic intermodal shipment, drayage carriers handle the moves to and from the rail ramps on each end, with the railroad covering the long-distance portion in between. BBI coordinates both drayage and intermodal shipping so the full move stays with one partner.

Demurrage is a fee charged when a container stays at a port or rail terminal beyond its allotted free time, and per diem is a daily charge from the container owner when equipment is kept outside the terminal past its free days. Both fees can add up quickly when a pickup is missed or a container is returned late. BBI helps shippers reduce demurrage and per diem costs by pre-planning each move and holding carriers accountable for pickup and return times.

Specialty drayage is the transport of containers that need specialized equipment or handling beyond a standard dry container move. Common examples include hazmat containers, ISO tank containers carrying bulk liquids, refrigerated containers that must stay at a set temperature, and out-of-gauge freight that extends past a container's standard dimensions. BBI's drayage experts arrange the right equipment and qualified carriers for each specialty move.

Yes, BBI Logistics provides drayage at all major ports and railways in both the U.S. and Canada, along with inter-Canada logistics and cross-border container moves. Our team plans each cross-border move around optimized border crossings to help keep containers moving between countries.