Today, more than 80% of global shipping involves containers. They're packed with everything from personal storage items in dry containers to heavy machinery on flat rack containers. For business owners shipping products, getting a container from point A to point B requires precise planning and high-level tracking. But that's easier said than done when global supply chains become over-congested, leading to loading time issues and delays.
That's bad news for business owners who are already under a massive amount of stress. The truth is that container storage delays can cripple a business, but there's a viable solution: drayage brokers in Oakland, CA like RelyEx. Drayage companies provide unique solutions to minimize demurrage and help ensure the successful delivery of your freight.
With more than 30 combined years of experience and a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx has quickly become the first choice for streamlined, efficient drayage services. To understand the true value of RelyEx's offerings in the global logistics industry, it helps to understand first what drayage is and why it's used.
If you're a seasoned business owner who uses port drayage to transport your products, you know exactly how important the service can be. But if you were to poll a group of random people, you may get five different definitions of the term "drayage." That begs the question, how is one of the most crucial steps in the supply chain and most vital components of global trade such a confusing concept? When you break it down, it's not too difficult to grasp.
Drayage, by definition, means the transportation of freight from an ocean port to another destination. Today, drayage is also used to describe the process of transporting products and goods over short distances or over "the first mile."
While drayage often means short-distance movements during the supply chain process, it's primarily used in the container shipping space. Drayage loads usually have arrival and departure points in the same city and don't include long-haul, national transportation.
Because a drayage load can mean a few different things, confusion among carriers is common. Many carriers link drayage with going into a port, but that isn't always true. While all drayage loads typically originate from a port of entry, there are often several legs of a drayage journey before a container turns up at its final stop. Legs of a drayage load may include:
You may be thinking, what's so important about drayage? It's such a small step in the container storage transport process. In reality, it's an integral piece needed in the logistics industry and a crucial part of U.S. supply chain management.
To truly understand the importance of drayage, let's use flowers as an example. Most cut flower shipments enter the market from areas in South America until they end up at Dutch auction houses. Once there, wholesalers purchase flowers in bulk and send those products to retail outlets worldwide. Because flowers are perishable, they typically need to be refrigerated and are often shipped in reefer containers. These refrigerated vessels must maintain a certain temp to prevent loss.
Drayage companies like RelyEx allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services. Drayage companies allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind, because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services.
If port drayage is compromised, it can cause delays and even fines. You know the packages you get delivered to your front door from apps like Amazon? Without drayage and drayage brokers, one or two-day shipping times wouldn't even be possible.
As a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. alone, it seems like drayage shipping issues shouldn't exist. But the fact is inefficiencies and congestion are still major problems at ports. Whether it's a lack of carriers, absent chassis, or overburdened terminals, delays lead to missed deadlines, lost revenue, and worse.
But anytime challenges exist, so too do innovative solutions.
QUOTE REQUESTRelyEx was created because our founders saw a need in the logistics space for more reliability and efficiency. The reality of the shipping and logistics industry is that it has become very transactional. It's an odd evolution, because most businesses seek a third-party logistics partner that is accessible, transparent, and committed to providing solutions.
As the logistics space continues to grow, it creates newfound expenses and complexities. Clients like ours know that and need a supply chain partner who is genuinely interested in their business. By understanding the needs of our customers and carriers, we can provide the most reliable, effective drayage services possible.
Unlike some drayage companies in Oakland, CA, we begin managing your containers before they ever hit the ports by mapping out the most efficient pathways of delivery. That way, our team can discover the best drayage pathways to expedite delivery time and reduce fees that cut into profits.
Our valued drayage customers choose RelyEx because:
At RelyEx, we like to consider ourselves problem solvers. The nature of the container drayage industry presents new challenges every day, but we're firm believers that there's a solution to every hurdle we encounter. And while some drayage businesses implement a reactive approach, RelyEx customers choose us for our proactive mindset. We take pride in solving your company's drayage challenges to help you avoid frustrating fees, missed expectations, and delayed shipments. We strive to make every transaction successful and streamlined by partnering with shippers who prioritize transparent, prompt, and accurate communication.
RelyEx approaches your business from the customer's perspective - a unique approach that helps us provide high-quality, effective drayage services. We've been in the customers' shoes, know their pain points, and because of that, provide first-hand solutions to stressful supply chain issues. With over 30 years of collective knowledge, our team excels in:
Our varied, high-level drayage shipping experience helps us achieve our overarching goal: expertly managing your freight movement needs. That way, you can direct your time and focus on growing the core aspects of your business while we handle the heavy lifting. Throw in proactive planning to avoid bottleneck situations and strong communication for transparent customer relations, and you can see why so many companies trust RelyEx.
When it comes to shipping logistics, it only takes one mistake by a mediocre worker to disrupt your business. That's why, at RelyEx, we pride ourselves on forming and nurturing relationships with carriers who match our standards of care. Our founding partner started his career transporting freight for companies as an on-demand carrier. He uses that knowledge to maximize the resources of our carriers so that our customer's expectations aren't just met - they're exceeded.
Based in the port city of Oakland, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Customers choose RelyEx because:
Some drayage brokers don't care how customers feel about their service as long as they sign a contract and get paid. As a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx takes the opposite approach. We're motivated by the opportunity to overachieve for our customers and to provide them with the best logistics experience possible. With professional experience as carriers and shippers ourselves, we know the roadblocks and challenges you're facing. We excel at mapping out the best plans of action to solve those problems. But that's just the start.
Our tracking experts monitor and manage every aspect of your drayage shipment from booking to delivery, 24/7. Once booked, we look for the availability of your containers hourly once they're at port. When they arrive, our team acts quickly to access your storage containers when they're available.
Plus, RelyEx ensures your company's requirements are met by the carrier during loading and delivery and provide necessary documentation as fast as possible. With real-time tracking updates and access to our customer service professionals, your team has complete visibility throughout the shipping process.
Over the years, RelyEx has built a strong network of drayage carriers, transloading locations, and container storage spaces to provide you with the best possible options to match your drayage service needs. We know that searching for quality service presents an added layer of complexity and stress to our customers. That's why we work hard to take that off your plate by connecting you with our reliable shipping partners.
With a background moving freight as an on-demand carrier, our founding partner understands how to maximize the resources and equipment of our carriers to match your needs.
Like other industries, the global logistics space is complex. Mistakes will be made, and problems will happen. With those truths in mind, RelyEx has built its reputation as problem solvers. Unlike other drayage companies, we don't shy away from this industry's complexities because we take pride in solving problems. Even better, we aim to do what's needed to avoid those problems altogether.
As your logistics partner, we will provide your company with accurate, transparent, and prompt communication. If there are unexpected issues, we'll notify you immediately and will provide several options to remedy the problem. We even offer custom reporting for large clients who need at-the-moment updates and quick access to shipment documentation.
Why let the unpredictability of your industry dictate your success? With a background working in manufacturing, our founders are familiar with the demands of managing production schedules and sales orders. That experience makes it abundantly clear to us that every business and industry is different. If you struggle with seasonal surges or other factors, our team supports your business with a mapped-out plan and schedule, so you stay ahead of the game.
QUOTE REQUESTBased in the port city of Oakland, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Demurrage is a charge issued by a port, carrier, or railroad company for storing containers that do not load and unload their cargo promptly. Once the daily limit of free time is exceeded, shippers are charged daily demurrage fees until their cargo is shipped. Though different ports have different policies, charges can range from $75 to $150 per container, per day, for a set number of days. Additional demurrage fees are incurred if a shipper exceeds the port's parameters.
Even when shippers maintain a tight schedule for unloading freight, external factors can play an uncontrollable part. Typically, shipping mistakes caused by human error trigger the most demurrage charges. Some of the most common causes of demurrage include:
Typically, shippers need four specific documents to clear shipments through customs: A Bill of Lading (or BOL), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and an arrival notice. Seasoned drayage brokers like RelyEx are used to preparing these documents, but new shippers tend to miss this step due to inexperience.
If a shipper only pays for part of their shipment, a vessel operator may refuse to release their freight until their bill is fully paid. Payment delays lead to cargo detention at the port of entry, which triggers demurrage charges.
QUOTE REQUESTPaperwork is needed when you're shipping goods with a drayage company. When documents like the Certificate of Origin or Bill of Lading arrive at their destination late, you can expect demurrage fees. RelyEx avoids this situation entirely by being proactive when submitting paperwork.
Additional causes for demurrage fees can include:
At RelyEx, we know first-hand how stressful supply chain problems can be for business owners. Though drayage shipping might seem minor on the surface, it affects every stage of your shipping process. And when inevitable hurdles manifest, RelyEx propels you over the proverbial roadblocks with a proactive mindset and a passion for challenging projects. We believe that all problems have a solution, and our unique vantage point allows us to provide first-hand solutions to customers in a wide array of industries.
When it comes to your business, don't settle for anything less than RelyEx. Contact our office today to learn more about how we make your shipping experience streamlined and stress-free.
After a first half that offered little by way of hope, the last-place A’s are opening the post-All-Star break portion of the season by turning towards the future, adding their two top prospects to the roster. Catcher/first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (ranked No. 60 on Keith Law’s preseason list...
After a first half that offered little by way of hope, the last-place A’s are opening the post-All-Star break portion of the season by turning towards the future, adding their two top prospects to the roster. Catcher/first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (ranked No. 60 on Keith Law’s preseason list) and second baseman Zack Gelof will be added to the A’s roster ahead of their Friday night game against the Twins, according to a source briefed on the matter. Both have spent the entire season with Triple-A Las Vegas.
Soderstrom, the A’s top pick in 2020 out of Turlock (Calif.) High, has made quick work of the minor leagues. Despite missing nearly half of the 2021 season with a side injury, Soderstrom needed just two full seasons to reach the big leagues despite being a high school draft pick. The 21-year-old has prodigious power and has already homered 20 times in 280 at-bats for the Aviators. In 1,007 career minor-league at-bats, Soderstrom has 61 homers. Soderstrom played in the MLB Futures Game over the weekend and had a hit and a walk in three plate appearances.
He uses the whole field well and can reach the seats in any ballpark. The biggest question for him as a hitter is his ability to handle quality stuff around the knees. He has no trouble hitting velocity but does swing and miss a fair amount. Still, Soderstrom instantly becomes the A’s biggest power threat upon joining the roster.
Defensively, Soderstrom’s bat has always been ahead of his glove, but he’s made significant improvements behind the plate since being drafted and can hold his own defensively at first base. He’s likely to see time at both positions, as well as DH.
(Photo of Zack Gelof: Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
Gelof just missed Law’s top-100 list this spring, but he may have found himself on it this offseason had he remained in the minor leagues. The A’s 2021 second-round pick is having a huge year for Las Vegas, his first full season at the Triple-A level (he’d played a few weeks at the level in each of the last two seasons). In 263 at-bats for Las Vegas, the second baseman is batting .304/.401/.529 with 12 homers and 20 stolen bases.
Originally a third baseman, Gelof moved to second last season and has improved both his range and his actions around the bag significantly over the past year. An excellent athlete, Gelof has some swing-and-miss to his game, but he has generally always hit for average and has above-average power and speed for a second baseman. He hits the ball hard and can use the whole field.
GO DEEPER A's make a move toward the future with debuts of Tyler Soderstrom and Zack Gelof
(Top photo of Tyler Soderstrom: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
MIAMI — For most of this season, a Framber Valdez or Cristian Javier start for the Astros has equated to Martín Maldonado being behind the plate. Valdez has thrown to Maldonado in all 23 of his starts. Javier worked with Maldonado in all but two of his first 22 outings.Tuesday marked an exception to the trend with Yainer Diaz starting at catcher and Javier on the mound against the Marlins. It was just Diaz’s second time catching Javier this season. Javier also made one start with César Salazar at catcher....
MIAMI — For most of this season, a Framber Valdez or Cristian Javier start for the Astros has equated to Martín Maldonado being behind the plate. Valdez has thrown to Maldonado in all 23 of his starts. Javier worked with Maldonado in all but two of his first 22 outings.
Tuesday marked an exception to the trend with Yainer Diaz starting at catcher and Javier on the mound against the Marlins. It was just Diaz’s second time catching Javier this season. Javier also made one start with César Salazar at catcher.
With Maldonado slated to catch Justin Verlander in Wednesday’s finale at Miami and the Astros off Thursday, manager Dusty Baker said he wanted to avoid Diaz going too long between starts at catcher. He said observing how Javier and Diaz work together was not a factor.
“This ain’t no experiment,” Baker said. “We’re trying to win a game.”
The Astros entered Tuesday with two runs over their last 18 innings. Diaz is Houston’s stronger offensive option at catcher, albeit the clear backup, and has compiled notably better numbers when in the lineup at a defensive position than as a designated hitter in his rookie season.
“That’s his strength, yeah,” Baker said. “But your number one job is to catch. Your number one job is to keep learning to call a game. I think … he’s progressing well.”
• Reliever Phil Maton, on the injured list with an elbow contusion, threw weighted plyometric balls Tuesday in an early recovery step.
• Astros outfield prospect Quincy Hamilton had bilateral core muscle surgery that will end his season, the team announced. Hamilton, a fifth-round pick in 2021, was playing at Triple-A Sugar Land.
• The Astros promoted outfield prospect Joey Loperfido to Triple-A. Loperfido, their seventh-round pick from 2021, had a .296/.392/.548 slash line over 84 games at Double-A Corpus Christi and is the sixth-ranked prospect in their system by MLB Pipeline.
• First baseman José Abreu, on the 10-day IL with lower back inflammation, has yet to resume baseball activities since receiving two cortisone shots Saturday, Baker said.
More Astros News
Bases....
Batters - OAK | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OPS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KempLF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .208 | .595 |
Gelof2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .269 | .939 |
RookerDH | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .241 | .789 |
Brown, S1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .220 | .706 |
a-Pérez, CPH-1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .238 | .687 |
Diaz, J3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .240 | .700 |
SoderstromC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .160 | .454 |
Butler, LCF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .211 | .685 |
Allen, NSS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .199 | .519 |
Ruiz, ERF | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .251 | .632 |
Totals | 32 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Pitchers - OAK | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | ERA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Watkins(L, 0-1) | 4.1 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 10.38 |
Pruitt | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.11 |
Scott, Tay | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6.19 |
Neal | 2.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6.23 |
Totals | 8.0 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
bullpen - OAK | T | ERA | IP | H | BB | K |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blackburn | R | 4.52 | 65.2 | 77 | 25 | 66 |
Erceg | R | 6.62 | 35.1 | 40 | 23 | 47 |
Martinez, A | R | 5.17 | 31.1 | 32 | 11 | 28 |
May | R | 4.78 | 32.0 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Medina | R | 5.31 | 83.0 | 84 | 43 | 83 |
Pérez, F | L | 4.50 | 2.0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Sears | L | 4.27 | 130.2 | 118 | 33 | 123 |
Snead | L | 3.38 | 5.1 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
Waldichuk | L | 6.07 | 99.1 | 113 | 56 | 100 |
Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals will play Esteury Ruiz and the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday at Busch Stadium, at 6:45 PM ET. The favored Cardinals have -176 moneyline odds to win against the underdog Athletics, who are listed at +149. St. Louis (-1.5) is favored on the run line. The matchup's total is listed at 9 runs.The Cardinals...
Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals will play Esteury Ruiz and the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday at Busch Stadium, at 6:45 PM ET. The favored Cardinals have -176 moneyline odds to win against the underdog Athletics, who are listed at +149. St. Louis (-1.5) is favored on the run line. The matchup's total is listed at 9 runs.
The Cardinals will start Matthew Liberatore (2-4) versus the Athletics and Paul Blackburn (2-3).
Take a look at everything you need from a betting perspective on the Cardinals-Athletics game, from the point spread, moneyline, Over/Under and expert picks (odds via FOX Bet):
Place your bets on Cardinals vs. Athletics now with FOX Bet!
Learn more about this Cardinals vs. Athletics matchup on Fox Sports.
FOX Bet has the props and odds you need to get your betting on for Cardinals vs Athletics!
Download the FOX Super 6 app for your chance to win thousands of dollars on the biggest sporting events each and every week! Just make your picks and you could win the grand prize.
Oakland bubble tea outfit Boba Binge has launched a second location, featuring fruit, milk, boba and cheese drinks, Vietnamese coffee drinks (including egg coffee), banh mi and other snacks, such as popcorn chicken and egg rolls. Fans might recognize the local brand from the original Boba Binge in Oakland’s Chinatown. Their spacious new Uptown shop took over from former eatery The Everest Momo. ...
Oakland bubble tea outfit Boba Binge has launched a second location, featuring fruit, milk, boba and cheese drinks, Vietnamese coffee drinks (including egg coffee), banh mi and other snacks, such as popcorn chicken and egg rolls. Fans might recognize the local brand from the original Boba Binge in Oakland’s Chinatown. Their spacious new Uptown shop took over from former eatery The Everest Momo. Boba Binge, 2212 Broadway (at Grand Avenue), Oakland
Smash burgers, chopped cheese, spicy chicken sandwiches — these and other student and local office worker favorites found at former businesses El Pollo Picante and Berserk Burger are now available together at one location from the same team. Newly named Cal’s Fried Chicken and Burgers morphs the two eateries, formerly operating across the street from each other, into one mega location for all your fast-casual fried and grilled food needs. Go Bears. Cal’s Fried Chicken and Burgers, 2026 University Ave. (between Milvia Street and Shattuck Avenue), Berkeley
Not closed, despite its boarded up exterior, is Popeyes in Berkeley, currently undergoing building renovations foretold as far back as last year. The fast food chicken shop is still doing a “brisk business,” according to a colleague, as lines of cars inside the joint’s small parking lot wait for their take-out. For those who have missed the sign tacked to the fence: During construction, which might take several weeks, customers can call 510-982-7353 to place orders for both to-go and delivery. Popeyes Berkeley, 1775 San Pablo Ave. (at Delaware), Berkeley
As lovers of both tea and cake, Nosh can’t help but share this lovely new option at “pocket-sized” Sesame, A Tiny Bakery: Reserve tea and cake for two (or three, if desired) presented at outdoor tables in the protected alley outside the bakery’s newish West Berkeley digs, Thursday through Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Marykate McGoldrick’s seasonal, organic cakes feature peak fresh ingredients — which right now means stone fruit and other summer sweetness. Tea + Cake at Sesame, A Tiny Bakery, 2533 Seventh St. (between Dwight Way and Parker Street), Berkeley
Softly open as of Aug. 8 in the former El Burro/Pollo Picante space is new counter restaurant University Taqueria, with a simple, casual menu of tacos, quesadillas and burritos reminiscent of El Burro Picante’s pre-pollo days. Find the menu here. University Taqueria, 2021 University Ave. (between Milvia Street and Shattuck Avenue), Berkeley