
Freight vs. Drayage: What’s the Difference?
Freight vs. drayage explained for businesses. Learn the key differences, use cases, and why drayage matters for shipping through NYC ports.

Freight vs. drayage explained for businesses. Learn the key differences, use cases, and why drayage matters for shipping through NYC ports.

Choosing the right trucking solution depends on how far your freight needs to move and how it’s shipped.
Drayage is used for short moves of full containers between ports, rail terminals, and warehouses; cartage handles local, last-mile delivery of unpacked or smaller loads.

When a shipment hits a U.S. port, the clock starts immediately—and reliable drayage services can be the difference between a smooth handoff and a costly delay.

Selecting a drayage partner isn’t just another logistics decision — it affects container flow, delivery timelines, operational costs, and customer satisfaction. With ports becoming more congested and supply chains more complex, businesses depend on drayage services that can move containers quickly, safely, and efficiently.

When containers arrive at a busy port like New York City, someone needs to get them to a warehouse, distribution center, or rail terminal quickly and efficiently. That short but critical trip is called drayage, and it’s what keeps your supply chain running smoothly.

Drayage services play a critical role in connecting maritime shipping with inland logistics. Once cargo is unloaded at the port, drayage ensures containers move quickly and efficiently to nearby warehouses, rail yards, or distribution centers.
This step prevents congestion, reduces delays, and keeps supply chains running on time.

Shipping perishable food isn’t just about moving boxes—it’s about preserving freshness, safety, and customer trust. Whether you’re sending frozen seafood across the country or fresh produce from port to warehouse, the way you handle perishable goods transportation determines whether your product arrives in top condition or spoils along the way.

The speed of unloading a container ship directly impacts your supply chain efficiency — and for businesses importing through NYC ports, every hour counts.
Whether you’re moving full container loads (FCL) or less-than-container loads (LCL), understanding how long unloading takes can help you plan inventory, manage costs, and prevent delays.

The speed of unloading a container ship directly impacts your supply chain efficiency — and for businesses importing through NYC ports, every hour counts.
Whether you’re moving full container loads (FCL) or less-than-container loads (LCL), understanding how long unloading takes can help you plan inventory, manage costs, and prevent delays.