The Connection Between Drayage and Intermodal
Given the evolved global shipping landscape, very few shipments rely on a single mode of transportation. Most shipments use ship, rail, truck… before reaching their final destination; this combination is what’s known as intermodal, and seeing how drayage plays the role of connector that makes it all work, then drayage is in fact part of intermodal.
Without it, containers would never make it from port to rail or from rail to distribution centers.
For the full definition and background, visit our What Is Drayage? guide.
What Is Intermodal Transportation?
Let’s define intermodal again: it is when freight stays in one sealed container from port to destination, but is transferred between multiple carriers across multiple modes of transportation, without any direct handling by these carriers.
This leads to several benefits, such as:
- Cost-efficient for long hauls.
- Reduced handling and risk as the container remains sealed.
- More flexibility in routing to switching depending on route and capacity.
Naturally, this can only work if the transfers between modes are done smoothly and efficiently. And that’s where drayage comes in.
Drayage: The Short-Distance Connector
Drayage is the short-haul trucking service that moves containers between transfer points, such as:
- Port → Rail yard
- Rail yard → Distribution center
- Container depot → Warehouse
Drayage basically ensures that unloaded containers don’t sit idle, keeping the intermodal chain moving seamlessly to maximize savings on time and cost. So even if the distances are generally short, the impact on global logistics is massive. Without drayage, ports would clog and deliveries would stall.
Why Drayage Is Part of Intermodal
Seeing how it physically connects the different transport modes, it only makes sense to label it as a component of the intermodal chain, and a key component at that! Logistics experts refer to the “modal handoff” when they describe the role of drayage at each stop. So if we were to break down the different ways in which drayage manifests its benefits:
- Supports efficient modal handoffs without breaking the container seal
- Reduces long-haul trucking needs to support cost savings
- Keeps supply chains flowing smoothly between different modes
- Maximizes efficiency by preventing bottlenecks and congestion
So in essence, there’s no question about drayage being intermodal… because intermodal shipping literally depends on drayage.
Examples in Action
Here are some real-world examples to clearly illustrate the role of drayage and how integral it is to intermodal shipping:
- Example 1: a container trucked from the Port of Montreal to a nearby rail terminal à it’s called pier drayage.
- Example 2: a container is trucked from the Toronto rail terminal to a local warehouse à it’s called door drayage.
- Example 3: a container is trucked from a congested port to an off-dock storage temporarily before rail transport à it’s called shuttle drayage.
How Drayage Impacts Efficiency in the Intermodal Chain
Let’s break down the 4 key performance factors when it comes to drayage determining whether intermodal shipping runs smoothly or not.
- Turnaround time (fewer delays in moving the container = fewer penalties).
- Fleet availability (enough drivers and chassis to avoid backlogs).
- Visibility & tracking tools (preventing missed appointments or misplaced containers).
- Coordination between ports, rails, and warehouses (minimizing waiting time).
Synchronizing these operations is our specialty at WTL: aligning drayage timing with train schedules, vessel arrivals, and capacity at the warehouse to ensure a continuous and effective flow of goods.
Conclusion: The Backbone of Intermodal
In closing, drayage is undoubtedly considered intermodal. Even if it’s short-haul, drayage allows intermodal shipping to take place as the glue that binds the different modes along the chain.
And what you stand to gain from partnering with experienced and reliable drayage partners like WTL is:
- End-to-end coordination by experts across all touchpoints
- Transparent pricing with no surprise costs
- Fewer delays and penalties
- Overall reliable, on-schedule, on-budget container movement
Contact us today for tailored logistics solutions that keep your supply chain moving at maximum efficiency and without the extra costs.