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Century Express
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Port Drayage

Refrigerated Drayage

Rail Drayage

Hazmat Drayage

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Port Drayage

As a premier drayage carrier within the Port of Virginia, Century Express Virginia is experienced in moving a wide variety of cargo through Virginia’s marine terminals. We leverage our extensive network of relationships with terminal personnel, depot operators, on-site labor, and ocean carriers to ensure that schedules are achieved, and promises are kept to our customers.

Having your port drayage handled by a trusted carrier can make a difference not only in how quickly your freight moves, but also in your peace of mind. Let Century Express Virginia handle all your container trucking needs within the Port of Virginia.

From planning to forecasting, Century is here to assist you with moving your freight.

Port Drayage FAQ

What is Port Drayage and how does it work?

Transportation of cargo from a marine terminal to its destination is popularly known as port drayage, which is the core of the supply chain. It means specialized freight transportation within a short distance to the port of entry, such as the rail yards, warehouses, or similar waypoints, before the final destination. Originally, the term dray was used for a horse-drawn cart, which the merchants would use for transporting goods. In our times, this concept has evolved to trucks with strong metal frames doing this logistics job, ensuring the swift movement of goods globally.

Why is Port Drayage important?

The importance of port drayage is immense. It is the center of the supply chain, which takes goods from international shipping channels to the domestic transportation networks. This service goes far beyond simply transporting cargo, it is about preserving the continuity of trade, trimming down the delays, and working to ensure that goods reach destinations on time. In an era where productivity and timeliness are all that matter, drayage services like ours are invaluable. Standard port drayage is one of our services, and we also provide specialized services that consist of reefer drayage and hazmat drayage to make the goods move smoothly between regions. With our profound skill set and varied fleet, we provide this core component to keep businesses moving in a way that better serves customers while continuing to earn profits. We also ensure that supply chains remain stable, dynamic, and robust.

What equipment is used in Port Drayage?

The right equipment is the backbone of efficient port drayage services. Our fleet comprises modern, versatile vehicles and trailers tailored to accommodate the wide array of cargo types and requirements inherent in port drayage. Specialized equipment like 20/40 triaxles, flatbeds and step decks enable us to handle heavy cargo and permit-required loads with ease. For temperature-sensitive shipments, our reefer drayage services provide the necessary climate-controlled transport, ensuring the integrity of the goods throughout their journey. This arsenal of specialized equipment, coupled with our extensive experience, empowers us to deliver tailored solutions for each drayage project, irrespective of its complexity.

What makes one Port Drayage company better than another?

In the fast-paced world of port drayage, what sets a company apart is not just the machinery or the logistics software they use — it’s the people behind the operation and their dedication to service excellence.

Each of us revels in our contribution, realizing that we are not just one of the stages but a link in the continuous service that dates back to a century of combined experience. We can offer personalized service while meeting target dates with precision. Our all-around port-trucking service consists of specialized equipment and permit knowledge for heavy cargo and allows us to handle transport for any type and size of merchandise.

How are Port Drayage projects planned?

Awareness of the needs of cargo is a leading factor. Each item is different and also requires specific management and technology, whether the item is classified as a hazardous material, perishable or oversized.

In addition, timing is something that has to be coordinated very well. With the short time schedules of ports and the need to avoid detention and demurrage fees, time accuracy ensures that cargo flows from ship to shore and, finally, to its destination seamlessly.

Also, choosing the right route and the mode of transport decreases the amount of time and cost. Considering the congestion and possible delays at ports as well as rail yards.

How is Drayage priced?

Pricing in the drayage world is as much an art as a science. We believe in transparency and fairness, building our pricing models around the complexity of the task, the distance covered and any specialized equipment or permits that might be required. This approach ensures that our clients always receive value for their investment, with no hidden fees or surprise charges. Whether it’s managing a simple port-to-warehouse haul or orchestrating a cross-country journey requiring reefer drayage or hazmat expertise, we’re committed to offering competitive pricing that reflects the quality and reliability of our service.

How are Port Drayage projects coordinated?

Coordination of a drayage project entails the delicate balancing of all its components. The correct positioning and performance of each movement are equally essential, as everything is synchronized. We initiate the process with a full review of the task to be undertaken. These tasks could involve port drayage, reefer, hazmat-related precautions, or the handling of heavy cargo. With an extensive fleet capacity, including 20/40 triaxles, flatbeds, and step decks, we succeed in planning the most efficient route from port to destination. Real-time communication and tracking ensure that everyone is in the know, and these measures not only prevent delays but also facilitate the handover from one mode to the other.