Drayage is a crucial part of the modern logistics industry — but what is drayage, exactly?
Drayage refers to the short-distance transportation of shipping containers, typically between a port, rail terminal, or warehouse and a nearby facility. Though it might seem like a small step in a larger journey, drayage is what keeps containers moving efficiently through ports and into the supply chain.
In 2025, as global freight volumes rise and port congestion intensifies, drayage is becoming more vital than ever for avoiding costly delays.
What does drayage mean? It’s the process of moving containers a short distance to connect different modes of transportation or reach local destinations.
What Is Drayage in Logistics?
When people ask what is drayage in logistics, they’re really asking how short-haul trucking fits into the broader supply chain. Drayage is a connective link — it bridges the gap between ships, trains, trucks, and warehouses.
Here’s how drayage functions within a logistics operation:
- Port to Warehouse: A container arrives at the Port of Vancouver and is trucked 10 km to a local distribution center.
- Rail to Cross-Dock: Freight is offloaded from a train and transferred to a final-mile carrier within the same metro area.
- Terminal to Shipper: A container is picked up at a CN rail terminal in Toronto and delivered to a manufacturer’s loading dock.
Without reliable drayage trucking, long-haul and international shipping would grind to a halt.
What Is Container Drayage?
Container drayage is a specific form of drayage focused on the movement of intermodal shipping containers. These containers are typically 20 or 40 feet long and carry cargo via ocean, rail, or truck.
| Type of Drayage | Description |
|---|---|
| Port Drayage | Moving containers from ports to nearby facilities |
| Rail Drayage | Hauling containers between rail yards and warehouses |
| Expedited Drayage | Urgent short-distance delivery |
| Inter-carrier Drayage | Between different carriers (e.g., from rail to truck) |
Container drayage often involves:
- Chassis rental
- Driver coordination
- Customs paperwork (especially for bonded shipments)
- Empty container return to terminal
What is container drayage? It’s the service of transporting loaded or empty containers to or from a port or rail hub.
What Is Drayage Trucking?
Drayage trucking refers to the short-haul trucks and drivers responsible for executing drayage moves. Unlike long-haul freight, drayage trucking is regional, often operating within a 50–100 km radius of major terminals.
| Feature | Drayage Trucking | Long-Haul Trucking |
| Distance | Short (10–100 km) | Long (100+ km) |
| Time per trip | Hours | Days |
| Equipment | Chassis + container | Dry van or reefer trailer |
| Licensing | Port/terminal clearance | Highway-certified |
Drayage truckers must be highly coordinated. They often face:
- Port appointment schedules
- Queue times
- Terminal surcharges
- Empty container rehandling requirements
Reliable drayage trucking is essential for reducing dwell time at terminals.
What Is an Example of a Drayage Operation?
Still wondering what is an example of a drayage? Here’s a real-world scenario:
A shipment from Shanghai arrives at the Port of Vancouver. A 40-foot container is offloaded and scheduled for pickup the same day. A drayage trucker collects the container, transports it 25 km to a rail terminal, and drops it for intermodal movement to Calgary.
Another example: A food distributor receives a container by train in Toronto and uses drayage trucking to move it to a temperature-controlled cross-dock facility in Mississauga for unpacking.
These short movements may seem minor, but they are time-sensitive, regulated, and critical.
Why Drayage Matters in 2025
With Canadian ports experiencing more congestion and container volumes rising, efficient drayage is a competitive advantage.
Key 2025 Trends:
- Digitization: More carriers are using automated dispatching and GPS tracking.
- Sustainability: Electric drayage trucks are expanding in Vancouver and Montreal.
- AI Optimization: Route planning and terminal scheduling powered by AI reduce idle time.
- Chassis Pooling: Shared chassis models improve availability and cut costs.
Companies that treat drayage as a strategic link — not an afterthought — are seeing improved speed, reliability, and cost control.
Who Provides Drayage Services?
At Metropolitan Logistics, we provide short-haul drayage services across all major Canadian port and rail terminals:
- Vancouver
- Toronto
- Halifax
- Montreal
- Winnipeg
We offer:
- Container pickup and delivery
- Bonded freight movement
- Customs document assistance
- Port appointments and drop scheduling
Whether you need a single container moved or a multi-terminal operation coordinated — we do it efficiently, transparently, and at scale.
Final Thoughts
So — what is drayage?
It’s one of the most critical steps in modern logistics. Whether it’s called container drayage, drayage trucking, or port drayage, this short-haul movement ensures the long-haul journey keeps moving.
If your containers stop at the terminal too long, your supply chain stops too.
In 2025 and beyond, efficient drayage = competitive shipping.
Need Drayage in Canada?
Metropolitan Logistics delivers:
- Local container pickup within hours
- Terminal-to-terminal container transfers
- Rail and port drayage for imports and exports
