When businesses or individuals ask, “what is drayage transportation?”, they are diving into one of the most critical links in modern supply chains. Drayage refers to the short-distance movement of containers and cargo—usually between ports, airports, rail terminals, and nearby warehouses. Though the distances may be short, the importance of drayage is enormous. Without it, goods arriving by ship, plane, or rail would never reach their next destination.
In Canada, with major gateways like Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Port of Vancouver, and Montreal’s intermodal hubs, drayage transportation connects global freight with domestic distribution. At Metropolitan Logistics, we specialize in container drayage, air freight drayage, and intermodal trucking solutions that keep supply chains running on time.
What Is Drayage Transportation?
Drayage transportation is the specialized trucking service that moves containers or freight a short distance, typically as part of a larger journey. For example:
- Pulling a container from the Port of Vancouver to a nearby rail terminal.
- Delivering cargo from Toronto Pearson Airport to a distribution center in Mississauga.
- Shuttling containers between rail yards and warehouses in Montreal.
Although drayage may only cover 5 to 50 kilometers, it is vital for avoiding congestion at terminals, reducing demurrage charges, and ensuring goods are positioned for the next leg of transport.
What Is Container Drayage?
Container drayage refers to the movement of shipping containers—20’, 40’, or 53’ units—from ports, airports, or rail yards to another location. Containers may carry anything from electronics and retail goods to food products or pharmaceuticals.
Metropolitan Logistics provides container drayage across all major Canadian cities, supporting both imports and exports. Our services include:
- Port drayage – moving containers from marine terminals to warehouses.
- Rail drayage – transferring boxes between CN/CP yards and customer facilities.
- Air freight drayage – fast delivery from airports to distribution centers.
- Empty repositioning – returning empty containers to depots.
- Pre-pull services – removing containers from congested yards in advance and storing them securely.
Types of Drayage Services
Drayage is not a one-size-fits-all service. There are several categories:
| Type | Description | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Port Drayage | Moving containers from marine terminals | Import/export goods from ports of Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax |
| Rail Drayage | Drayage from CN/CP intermodal terminals | Containers moving inland (Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg) |
| Air Freight Drayage | Short-haul moves from airports | Cargo arriving at Toronto Pearson or Vancouver International |
| Shuttle Drayage | Moving containers between nearby facilities | From warehouse to depot or between rail yards |
| Door-to-Door Drayage | Container delivered directly to customer site | Retail, e-commerce, manufacturing deliveries |
By offering all these options, Metropolitan Logistics ensures customers have the right drayage solution, no matter their industry.
Drayage in Air Freight
When people ask “what is drayage transportation in air freight?”, the answer lies in speed and precision. Air cargo often involves high-value, time-sensitive shipments that cannot be delayed. Once freight lands at an airport, it must be quickly moved to customs, warehouses, or end-users.
In Canada, air freight drayage is critical at:
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) – Canada’s busiest cargo hub.
- Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) – gateway for European and transatlantic freight.
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – strong in Asian import flows.
Metropolitan Logistics offers drayage air freight services with specialized handling, including:
- Secure transport for high-value shipments.
- Temperature-controlled solutions for pharma and perishables.
- Fast turnaround to meet tight delivery windows.
Drayage vs Cartage vs Intermodal
A common question is: what’s the difference between drayage, cartage, and intermodal?
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Drayage | Short-distance container or freight movement | Port of Halifax → Dartmouth warehouse |
| Cartage | Local trucking of general goods (not containers) | Local deliveries within Toronto |
| Intermodal | Long-haul freight using multiple modes (rail + truck) | Vancouver → Toronto via CN rail + drayage |
Drayage is a specialized service within the intermodal system, while cartage is broader, referring to local trucking of any type of goods.
What Is the Difference Between Cargo and Freight?
While often used interchangeably, “cargo” and “freight” have distinctions:
- Cargo – typically refers to goods carried by ships or planes.
- Freight – broader term, covering all goods transported by truck, rail, ship, or air.
Thus, when we discuss drayage transportation, we usually mean moving “freight” (including cargo) between modes.
What Is Freight on Board?
“Freight on board” (FOB) is a shipping term defining when responsibility and liability for goods transfer from seller to buyer. While not unique to drayage, FOB impacts who pays drayage charges in international trade.
The Difference Between Freight and Transportation
Another common confusion:
- Freight = the goods being moved.
- Transportation = the act of moving those goods.
Drayage sits in between—providing transportation for freight at critical handoff points.
The Role of Freight Forwarders in Drayage Shipping
Freight forwarders often coordinate drayage shipping as part of larger international shipments. They may book vessels, arrange customs clearance, and then subcontract drayage providers like Metropolitan Logistics to handle first-mile or last-mile delivery.
By partnering with forwarders, we ensure seamless coordination between air, ocean, rail, and road.
Drayage Air Freight Rates & Cost Factors
Drayage air freight rates vary depending on:
- Distance from the airport (usually 10–50 km).
- Cargo type (standard vs temperature-sensitive or high-value).
- Time requirements (expedited vs standard).
- Special equipment (reefers, liftgates, security escorts).
Illustrative Cost Table:
| Airport | Destination | Avg. Drayage Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson (YYZ) → Mississauga DC | 10 km | $250 – $350 |
| Montreal YUL → Laval Warehouse | 15 km | $280 – $400 |
| Vancouver YVR → Richmond Distribution | 12 km | $240 – $330 |
Metropolitan Logistics provides transparent drayage pricing, ensuring customers avoid unexpected costs.
Case Study: Container Drayage from Toronto Pearson Airport
A pharmaceutical importer required air freight drayage for temperature-sensitive goods arriving at Toronto Pearson. They partnered with Metropolitan Logistics, who provided:
- Reefer-equipped drayage units.
- 24/7 monitoring for compliance.
- Direct delivery to a controlled warehouse in Brampton.
Result: The client avoided spoilage, cleared customs smoothly, and reduced handling costs by 15%.
Why Drayage Transportation Matters in Canada
- Trade Flow – Ports and airports are Canada’s gateways to the world.
- Supply Chain Efficiency – Without drayage, containers clog terminals.
- Cost Savings – Pre-pull and storage avoid demurrage charges.
- Specialization – Air freight drayage requires speed, compliance, and secure handling.
Metropolitan Logistics ensures that each of these factors is addressed through customized solutions.
Conclusion
So, what is drayage transportation? It is the essential short-haul trucking service that connects ports, airports, and rail terminals with warehouses, distribution centers, and final destinations. While the distance is small, the impact is huge: without drayage, global trade would stop at the terminal.
In Canada, Metropolitan Logistics provides expert drayage transportation services, covering container drayage, air freight drayage, and intermodal trucking across Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, and beyond.
📞 +1 (365) 829 5000
📧 service@metropolitanlogistics.ca
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