The drayage freight sector is experiencing unprecedented growth with projections of USD 2.46 billion expansion through 2029, yet complexity continues to plague operations: operational challenges such as consistent on-time deliveries, maintaining cost-efficient solutions, and generating an optimal amount of ROI.
Key Shifts Transforming the Drayage Industry
The drayage industry faces mounting pressure from operational challenges that demand strategic solutions:
• Port Congestion Reality: Driver turn times exceed two hours at 30% of terminal transactions, creating costly delays
• Technology Integration: AI-powered solutions and intelligent TMS platforms are automating task management and reducing manual oversight
• Infrastructure Investment: Significant port upgrades and enhanced rail connections are reshaping capacity
• Regulatory Changes: New safety requirements including mandatory AEB systems and electronic speed governors
Smart companies are simplifying their drayage logistics approach to reduce costs and improve service. The market rewards streamlined operations over carrier proliferation — fewer, stronger partnerships deliver better visibility, consistent service, and lower total costs.
Current market dynamics show increased West Coast port activity due to favorable tariff conditions, while container dwell times remain below historical averages. This creates opportunities for shippers who can adapt quickly to changing conditions.
How PLS Logistics Addresses Modern Drayage Logistics Challenges
As the 23rd-ranked freight brokerage firm with $980 million in gross revenue, here at PLS Logistics, we understand that effective drayage requires strategic simplification, not complexity, and we offer comprehensive solutions that eliminate the chaos of managing multiple carrier relationships.
Our complete drayage portfolio includes port, inter-carrier, intra-carrier, expedited, shuttle, and door-to-door services — providing single-point accountability for your entire drayage network. Rather than juggling dozens of carriers, partner with one provider who delivers consistent performance, transparent pricing, and proactive problem-solving.
Our results speak for themselves: thanks to our understanding of the industry, we have turned all these industry challenges into solutions and opportunities for shippers to grow and drive more profit than ever, backed by our statistics compared to prior years.
Check our white paper to find out how much exactly we improved our success from last year.
Ready to simplify your drayage strategy? Contact PLS Logistics today.