The current increase in intermodal rail demand across the United States, partially fueled by geopolitical factors, is highlighting a significant bottleneck in the supply chain: drayage capacity. While the rail network itself is not experiencing widespread congestion, the availability of trucks and drivers for the final leg of intermodal shipments is proving to be a critical weak point.
This issue stems from decisions made by drayage companies during a previous downturn in freight volumes. Many operators reduced their fleets and driver pools to align with lower demand. Now, with a sudden rebound in cargo moving via intermodal rail, these companies are struggling to scale up quickly enough to meet the new requirements. The scarcity of qualified drivers is a primary factor, making it difficult to reposition containers and deliver goods from rail ramps to their final destinations efficiently.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this situation translates directly into potential delays and increased costs. Shippers may face longer dwell times for containers at rail terminals, incurring demurrage charges. The competition for available drayage services could also drive up rates, impacting overall logistics budgets. Forwarders will need to factor in these drayage challenges when planning intermodal routes and managing client expectations regarding transit times and final delivery schedules.
Looking ahead, the industry will likely see continued pressure on drayage capacity until driver recruitment and retention efforts can catch up with demand. This may prompt some shippers to re-evaluate their reliance on intermodal for time-sensitive cargo or explore alternative modes where drayage is less of a bottleneck.
