Container Drayage Glossary: Complete Dictionary of Logistics Terms and Definitions
The container transportation industry uses specialized terminology that can be confusing for newcomers and even experienced professionals. This comprehensive glossary defines over 100 essential terms used in drayage, port operations, and intermodal logistics to help you navigate conversations with carriers, terminals, and logistics providers.
A – B
Asset-Based Carrier: Transportation company that owns its own trucks, trailers, and equipment rather than brokering loads to third parties. Provides better control over service quality and capacity.
Appointment: Scheduled time slot for container pickup or delivery. Many warehouses and distribution centers require appointments to manage dock capacity and reduce congestion.
Bare Chassis: Container chassis without a container attached. Used for positioning moves or returning equipment to terminals.
Barbours Cut Terminal (BCT): One of Port of Houston’s major container terminals, handling vessels up to 14,000 TEU capacity. Located on the Houston Ship Channel.
Bayport Terminal: Port of Houston’s newest and largest container facility with automated gate systems and extended operating hours. Opened in 2007.
Bill of Lading (BOL): Legal document serving as receipt, contract of carriage, and title document for shipped goods. Required for container pickup from terminals.
Bobtail: Truck tractor operating without a trailer or chassis attached. Used for positioning moves between terminals and yards.
Bonded Container: Container moving under customs bond, allowing transportation from port to inland customs facility without immediate duty payment.
C – D
Cartage: Local pickup and delivery of freight, typically within metropolitan areas. Synonymous with drayage in container transportation.
Chassis: Wheeled frame specifically designed to transport intermodal containers. Available in 20ft, 40ft, and 45ft configurations with appropriate locking mechanisms.
Chassis Pool: Common pool of chassis equipment managed by terminal operator or third-party provider. Drivers can pick up any available chassis matching container size.
CFS (Container Freight Station): Facility where Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo is consolidated into full containers or deconsolidated from containers for individual delivery.
Common Carrier: Transportation company providing services to the general public under published rates and terms. Subject to regulatory oversight and public service obligations.
Consignee: Party named in shipping documents to receive the cargo. Typically the importer, buyer, or their designated agent.
Container Yard (CY): Area within port terminal where full containers are stored before vessel loading or after discharge. Also refers to terminal areas for truck and rail access.
CTPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism): CBP program enhancing border security through voluntary partnerships with private industry. Provides expedited processing benefits.
Customs Release: CBP authorization allowing imported goods to enter commerce. Required before container pickup from port terminals for delivery to consignee.
Demurrage: Charge imposed by terminal for containers remaining on terminal property beyond allowed free time. Typically $75-$100 per day after 5-7 free days.
Detention: Charge imposed by shipping line for use of their equipment (containers, chassis) beyond allowed free time. Rates vary by equipment type and duration.
Dispatch: Central coordination center managing driver assignments, equipment allocation, and customer communication for transportation operations.
DOT Number: Unique identifier assigned by Department of Transportation to commercial motor carriers. Required for interstate transportation operations.
Dray: Single movement of a container from one location to another, typically from port to warehouse or between terminals.
Drayage: Transportation of containers over short distances, usually as part of longer intermodal movement. Connects ports, rail terminals, and final destinations.
Drop and Hook: Operation where driver drops off container/chassis at location and hooks to pre-positioned equipment for return trip. Increases driver productivity.
Dry Van: Standard enclosed container for general cargo that doesn’t require temperature control or special handling. Most common container type.
E – H
Empty Container: Container without cargo, typically being repositioned for future loading. Empty repositioning is significant cost factor in container transportation.
Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR): Document recording condition of container/chassis at time of pickup or delivery. Used for damage claims and billing disputes.
Export Container: Container loaded with cargo destined for overseas shipment. Typically delivered to port terminal 2-5 days before vessel sailing.
FCL (Full Container Load): Shipment utilizing entire container for single consignee’s cargo. Contrasts with LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments.
Free Time: Period allowed by terminal or shipping line for container storage without demurrage/detention charges. Typically 5-7 days for imports, 7-10 days for exports.
Gate: Entry/exit points at terminals where documentation is checked and container movements are recorded. Often bottlenecks during peak periods.
GPS Tracking: Satellite-based system providing real-time location information for trucks and containers. Standard feature for professional drayage services.
Gross Weight: Total weight of container plus cargo. Federal highway limit is 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight including truck and chassis.
Hazmat (Hazardous Materials): Dangerous goods requiring special handling, documentation, and certified drivers. Includes chemicals, flammables, corrosives, and toxic substances.
High Cube Container: Container with extra height (9’6″ vs standard 8’6″) providing additional cargo volume. Common in 40ft and 45ft sizes.
HMTA (Hazardous Materials Transportation Act): Federal law regulating transportation of dangerous goods. Requires special permits, training, and documentation.
I – L
Import Container: Container arriving from overseas with cargo for domestic delivery. Must clear customs before release for inland transportation.
In-Bond: Customs status allowing cargo movement from port of entry to inland customs facility without immediate duty payment. Requires customs bond and documentation.
Intermodal: Transportation using multiple modes (ship, truck, rail) with containers transferred between modes without handling cargo contents.
ISO Container: Standard container meeting International Organization for Standardization specifications. Ensures global compatibility across transportation modes.
LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship): Transportation system using barges carried aboard ship. Less common than containerization but still used in some trades.
LCL (Less than Container Load): Shipment not filling entire container, consolidated with other LCL cargo. Requires stuffing/stripping at container freight stations.
Lift On/Lift Off (LOLO): Container handling method using cranes to load/discharge containers from vessels. Standard method at major container ports.
Live Unload: Delivery where truck waits while container is unloaded, then departs with empty container or chassis. Contrasts with drop and hook operations.
M – P
MC Number (Motor Carrier): Authority number issued by FMCSA allowing company to operate as for-hire motor carrier. Required for interstate transportation business.
Over-Dimensional (OD): Cargo exceeding standard container dimensions, requiring special permits and routing. May require escort vehicles and route surveys.
Overweight: Container/cargo exceeding standard weight limits. Typically requires permits and specialized equipment for road transportation.
Per Diem: Daily charge for use of equipment (containers, chassis) beyond free time. Accumulates until equipment is returned to owner or terminal.
Port of Entry (POE): Location where cargo enters country and customs clearance occurs. May be seaport, airport, or land border crossing.
Pre-Pull: Service where container is picked up from terminal and staged at carrier facility before final delivery. Reduces customer wait times.
R – T
Rail Ramp: Facility where containers transfer between truck and rail transportation. Also called intermodal terminal or container yard.
Reefer: Refrigerated container with built-in cooling system for temperature-sensitive cargo. Requires power connection and monitoring throughout transportation.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Technology using radio waves to identify containers and equipment automatically. Increasingly used for terminal automation.
RoRo (Roll On/Roll Off): Vessel type where cargo units drive on/off under their own power or with terminal equipment. Used for trailers and vehicles.
SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code): Unique two-to-four letter code identifying transportation companies in electronic data interchange. Required for EDI transactions.
Shipper: Party tendering cargo for transportation. May be manufacturer, exporter, or freight forwarder acting on behalf of cargo owner.
Street Turn: Practice of delivering import container and picking up export container at same location, eliminating need to return chassis to terminal.
Stripping: Unloading cargo from containers, typically at container freight stations for LCL shipments or at destination warehouses.
Stuffing: Loading cargo into containers, typically at container freight stations for LCL consolidation or at shipper facilities for FCL loads.
TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit): Standard measurement for container capacity. 40ft container equals 2 TEU, used for port statistics and vessel capacity.
Terminal: Facility where containers transfer between transportation modes. Includes marine terminals at ports and rail terminals inland.
Terminal Release: Authorization from terminal operator allowing container pickup. Issued after payment of terminal charges and completion of documentation.
Transload: Transfer of cargo from one transportation mode to another, often involving repackaging or consolidation. Common at rail-to-truck facilities.
TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential): Biometric identification card required for unescorted access to secure maritime facilities. Mandatory for port truck drivers.
U – Z
UIIA (Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement): Industry agreement governing equipment interchange between motor carriers and terminals.
Unit Train: Railway train carrying single commodity, often containers, between specific origins and destinations. Provides faster service than mixed freight trains.
Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA): Partnership between shipping lines to share vessel space and costs on specific routes. Affects container routing and terminal assignments.
Warehouse Receipt: Document proving cargo delivery to warehouse. Serves as proof of delivery and may be required for payment release.
Wharfage: Charge for use of wharf facilities, typically assessed per ton or measurement ton. Included in terminal handling charges.
Common Abbreviations and Acronyms
- BCO: Beneficial Cargo Owner
- CBP: Customs and Border Protection
- CY/CY: Container Yard to Container Yard
- D&D: Demurrage and Detention
- EDI: Electronic Data Interchange
- FMC: Federal Maritime Commission
- FMCSA: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- FTZ: Foreign Trade Zone
- ILA: International Longshore Association
- IMO: International Maritime Organization
- NVOCC: Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier
- OTI: Ocean Transportation Intermediary
- POD: Proof of Delivery
- POL: Port of Loading
- SLI: Shipper’s Letter of Instruction
- TMS: Transportation Management System
- VOCC: Vessel Operating Common Carrier
- WMS: Warehouse Management System
Understanding These Terms Improves Your Operations
Familiarity with drayage terminology helps you:
- Communicate effectively with carriers and terminals
- Understand contracts and rate quotations
- Identify cost-saving opportunities
- Troubleshoot operational issues
- Optimize supply chain performance
Professional Drayage Services with Clear Communication
At Sunbelt Drayage, we explain industry terminology clearly and provide transparent communication throughout your shipments. Our experienced team helps customers navigate the complexities of container transportation with professional guidance and reliable service.
Contact us at (832) 900-3453 for expert drayage services with clear, professional communication. We handle all aspects of container transportation while keeping you informed with industry-standard terminology and plain-English explanations.