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 Tulsa, OK 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 Tulsa, OK, 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 Tulsa, 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 Tulsa, 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.
THURDAY, MAY 18HOOKS 4, DRILLERS 1Drillers: Eddys Leonard 2-4; Jose Ramos 1-3; Diego Cartaya 1-4, 2B, R.Hooks: Will Wagner 2-4, 2 2B, RBI; Joey Loperfido 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R; Kenedy Corona 1-4; Colin Barber 1-3, 2B; Chad Stevens 1-3, R; Aaron Brown (W, 2-1) 4 IP, 3 H, 6 K.Highlights: Joey Loperfido powered the Hooks with a two-run home run in the eighth inning to help secure the club's fourth consecutive win and third straight against the Drillers...
Drillers: Eddys Leonard 2-4; Jose Ramos 1-3; Diego Cartaya 1-4, 2B, R.
Hooks: Will Wagner 2-4, 2 2B, RBI; Joey Loperfido 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R; Kenedy Corona 1-4; Colin Barber 1-3, 2B; Chad Stevens 1-3, R; Aaron Brown (W, 2-1) 4 IP, 3 H, 6 K.
Highlights: Joey Loperfido powered the Hooks with a two-run home run in the eighth inning to help secure the club's fourth consecutive win and third straight against the Drillers at Whataburger Field. Loperfido's blast provided some insurance with Corpus Christi holding on to a 2-1 lead. Aaron Brown pitched the final four innings for the Hooks and earned the win by delivering four scoreless innings with six strikeouts.
Drillers: Jose Ramos 1-2.
Hooks: Jose Altuve 1-4; Drew Gilbert 1-4, R; Chad Stevens 1-3, 2B; Joey Loperfido 1-3, 2B, RBI; Garrett Wolforth 1-3; Julio Robaina (W, 3-2) 6.1 IP, H, 10 K.
Highlights: Julio Robaina delivered the start the Hooks needed to capture their second consecutive win against the Drillers at Whataburger Field. Robaina delivered 6.1 innings, allowing one hit with 10 strikeouts as Corpus Christi won its third consecutive game and moved to 15-20 on the young season. Joey Loperfido connected on the Hooks' lone RBI on a double in the sixth inning and Diosmerky Taveras and Tyler Brown pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in relief to secure the win. Astros' second baseman Jose Altuve went 1 for 4 in his second start at second base after connecting on a single in the eighth inning. Altuve also reached on an error in the sixth.
Drillers: Jose Ramos 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R; Eddys Leonard 2-4, 2B, R.
Hooks: Jose Altuve 0-5, K; Quincy Hamilton 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R; Drew Gilbert 1-4; Kenedy Corona 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B, R; Chad Stevens 2-4, 2 RBI; Rhett Kouba 5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 K.
Highlights: The Hooks overcame allowing a three-run home run in the first inning to open their six-game series against the Drillers with a victory at Whataburger Field. Quincy Hamilton tied the game on a three-run home run in the fourth inning and Chad Stevens followed with a two-run single to give Corpus Christi a 5-3 lead. The Hooks added two more runs in the fifth on a two-run double by Kenedy Corona. Rhett Kouba earned the win for Corpus Christi after throwing five innings, allowing two runs and striking out seven. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, who was continuing his rehab stint with the Hooks, finished 0 for 5.
TULSA, Okla. — As summer break approaches, parents of school age children have an option for providing their kids with nutritious meals this summer, at no cost.During the pandemic years, many families got used to the “grab and go” concept when it came to picking up summer meals. But that’s changing this year.FOX23 spent the lunch hour with Bradyn Powell, Union Public School’s associate director of child nutrition, who said this summer, they’re going back to their traditional summer food servi...
TULSA, Okla. — As summer break approaches, parents of school age children have an option for providing their kids with nutritious meals this summer, at no cost.
During the pandemic years, many families got used to the “grab and go” concept when it came to picking up summer meals. But that’s changing this year.
FOX23 spent the lunch hour with Bradyn Powell, Union Public School’s associate director of child nutrition, who said this summer, they’re going back to their traditional summer food service program.
With the school year winding down, Powell wants to make sure no child goes hungry this summer.
“We want them to have that quality meal, some of them that’s the only meals they get each day and we want to make it as nutritious as possible because we know it’s not nutrition until it’s in your body," he said.
Powell said they’re here to support families, not just during the school year, but year-round.
Beginning June 5, Union Public Schools will offer it’s summer food service program free of charge, to any child aged 18 or under. The meals must be consumed on site. Curbside meals will no longer be offered.
We caught up with single mother of five, Ondrea Kingfisher Hawkins, who was at home Thursday afternoon with her three adopted sons King, David and Darius.
She also has two foster kids. She remarked that she sees the return to the traditional summer food program as a win-win for parents.
“I like that we’re going back to like the kids are able to go in the school to socialize, so they have that two aspects of getting nutrients that they need as well as being able to see some kiddos that they went to school with,” Hawkins noted.
We also reached out to Tulsa Public Schools and learned that they will be launching their summer school food service program on June 1 and Owasso Public Schools will launch their program on May 30.
We also learned that the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has a summer feeding program.
For more information on their summer feeding sites or pantry locations just click here.
TULSA, Okla. - Amnoni Myers arrived in Oklahoma in Nov. 2021 through the Tulsa Remote program. Now, she is preparing a collaborative fashion show event called “Threads of Change,” through the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator powered by Heartland Forward program.The event...
TULSA, Okla. - Amnoni Myers arrived in Oklahoma in Nov. 2021 through the Tulsa Remote program. Now, she is preparing a collaborative fashion show event called “Threads of Change,” through the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator powered by Heartland Forward program.
The event will also serve as a fundraiser for foster care and Myers will be giving back to other kids in the system locally. All support raised from a sneaker raffle will be going to Youth Services of Tulsa.
The month of May happens to be National Foster Care Month and Myers who was born in Boston was raised in the foster care system.
“After finding my belongings waiting for me on the porch in black trash bags, I knew I had aged out of the foster care system with little direction and support,” said Meyers.
She decided to work toward advocating for better policies on Capitol Hill and the White House during the Obama Administration.
Then, Meyers found herself facing one of the most darkest moments in her life.
“I lost my little sister and best friend to suicide. Before she passed; she said to me, “Sis, always remember that you are the prize,” said Myers.
In January 2022, Meyers published, You Are the Prize: Seeing Yourself Beyond the Imperfections of Your Trauma, which was inspired by her sister’s words of wisdom.
“This fashion show is a homage to those who’ve been affected by the foster care system, and homelessness by bringing awareness to the struggles and successes of us as people!” said Myers.
Collaborating with Myers on the event is Jamar Torres who also arrived in Oklahoma in Nov. 2021 as part of the Tulsa Remote program and is also a fellow participant in the Builders + Backers and Heartland Forward programs.
Torres was also born in Boston, and in the same hospital as Myers was born.
“Our birthdays are only a week apart and we also connected through Black Queer Tulsa,” said Myers.
"It’s crazy that we met in Tulsa but not in Boston despite being born in the same year, hospital and growing up in similar neighborhoods," said Torres.
Torres will be leading a live aromatherapy workshop with his project Live Vibe Dream Reflect, LVDR during the cocktail hour.
"LVDR is a reflection of my family roots - Black American and Puerto Rican. No matter where life carried us, we always had self-care rooted in our daily lives through these aromas that center us spiritually, mentally, and just for all the good vibes," said Torres.
Myers says the self-care and love that LDVR will be bringing to this event aligns with the message of self-worth and being and knowing you are the prize.
“So thankful to be collaborating with Jamar on this!” said Myers.
Friends of Myers from the community will be taking to the runway this Friday, May 19, posing in t-shirts and hats designed by Myers herself.
The fashion show and aromatherapy workshop will take place at the Dennis R. Neil Equality Center, downtown. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m.
“The event is ticketed at $25, but with the discount code, 'youaretheprize' they will get $5 off,” said Myers.
Threads of Change is a full-circle moment for Myers. It means the world to her and her fellow collaborator and now friend for life, Torres.
“It means that we can dream beyond our past and current realities of trauma by coming together and celebrating our accomplishments as builders and backers,” said Myers.
TULSA, Okla. — Plans to build a new Route 66 Interpretive Center on "Cry Baby" Hill across the street from the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza have been put to a stop.It's a story FOX23 News first reported on last May and there was a lot of excitement about Sharp Development's plan that would have capitalized on Tulsa's ties with Rt. 66.Artist renderings of the proposed mixed-use development featured a 40-room hotel and classic car vending machine, much to the delight of those on the selection committee like Dennis...
TULSA, Okla. — Plans to build a new Route 66 Interpretive Center on "Cry Baby" Hill across the street from the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza have been put to a stop.
It's a story FOX23 News first reported on last May and there was a lot of excitement about Sharp Development's plan that would have capitalized on Tulsa's ties with Rt. 66.
Artist renderings of the proposed mixed-use development featured a 40-room hotel and classic car vending machine, much to the delight of those on the selection committee like Dennis Whitaker, a Senior Planner of Special Programs for the Tulsa Planning Office at INCOG.
"I don't know that any Route 66 attraction across the eight states would have that kind of a high-profile unique amenity where you could rent a classic or antique car and select it and drive it around the area and see all of the touristy Route 66 amenities," said Whitaker.
Whitaker said the scale of the mixed was such that it would not have overwhelmed the neighborhood in terms of height.
He said Sharp Development reached out to him last week to let him know they were withdrawing their proposal.
On Thursday, FOX23 received a statement from Kimberly Honea, the Vice President of Hospitality and Development.
"We made the mistake of submitting a project that simply cost far more than it would ever be worth after further future construction analysis of project costs," said Honea.
Sharp Development's proposal was one of four that the selection committee looked at last year before selecting their ambitious proposal that would have also included apartments, retail and a large terrace with an amphitheater overlooking the Arkansas River.
"It was a disappointment," said Whitaker. "When you add to the remarkable features that they brought in their concept illustration and the fact that they're just such wonderful people to work with and you build those relationships over time. It's a disappointment."
He said he respects them and the reliability of their data and their decisions and that they have been great Tulsa partners in many other facets in Tulsa.
On Thursday, FOX23 also spoke with a townhome owner who's lived next to the site for 30 years.
She remarked that this isn't the first time plans to develop the site have fallen through. When asked about future development, she said she'll believe it when she sees it.
The takeover of the eateries formerly known as Zoe's Kitchen by Cava in Tulsa is complete, now that the Brookside location has made the transition from one Mediterranean-inspired menu to another.The change in ownership officially happened in 2018, but with COVID-19 restrictions and hardships, it's taken awhile for all 261 Zoe's Kitchens in the country to become Cava restaurants.My companion and I decided to sample a couple of items during a visit to the newest Cava, 3629 S. Peoria Ave.The menu is more compact at Cava tha...
The takeover of the eateries formerly known as Zoe's Kitchen by Cava in Tulsa is complete, now that the Brookside location has made the transition from one Mediterranean-inspired menu to another.
The change in ownership officially happened in 2018, but with COVID-19 restrictions and hardships, it's taken awhile for all 261 Zoe's Kitchens in the country to become Cava restaurants.
My companion and I decided to sample a couple of items during a visit to the newest Cava, 3629 S. Peoria Ave.
The menu is more compact at Cava than what Zoe's Kitchen offered: eight bowl meals, plus a build-your-own option that can have greens, grains or both as the base ($10.35-$13.95); and four pita-wrapped sandwiches, plus a build-your-own ($10.35-$13.95).
To keep things simple, we choose to go with the Lemon Chicken Bowl and the Crispy Falafel Pita ($10.35 each). Drinks are either self-serve fountain drinks or specialty lemonades; some bottled and canned beverages, such as sparkling waters, are also available.
The Lemon Chicken Bowl included a generous amount of chicken, along with dollops of a red pepper hummus and a spicy concoction called Crazy Feta, along with sweet pickled onions, halved cherry tomatoes, chunks of cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, what at first looked to be black beans but was in fact lentils, spinach and romaine lettuce leaves, in a preserved lemon vinaigrette.
The vinaigrette had a good balance of sweet and sour, and the diversity of texture meant that no two bites were exactly the same. My companion especially liked the pickled onions, which were more sweet than tart.
"Is this for here, or to go? Because it'll make a difference how I wrap this up," said the young woman behind the counter. I have a feeling that however she chose to assemble and secure this thing, it was going to be difficult to eat.
The pita used as the wrap was, while pliable, quite thick and of serious diameter. I tried hefting the thing to take a bite, realized quickly that this way madness lies, and chose instead to deconstruct it.
The five falafel balls managed to retain their structural integrity and contained the odd whole chickpea, which gave them an unexpected textural element. The interior of the pita was smeared with a mixture of roasted eggplant and hummus and augmented with tomatoes, onion, cabbage, wonderfully sour salt-brined pickles and just enough of a cilantro-and-pepper dressing called skhug to keep it interesting.
We sampled the blueberry lavender and strawberry citrus lemonades and went back for refills of the blueberry lavender.
Cava offers cookies and brownies for dessert, but the best thing about going to the Brookside location is that, once the meal is finished, one can walk next door to the newly opened Big Dipper Creamery for some locally made, small-batch, inventively flavored ice cream. We would heartily recommend the Honeycomb Lavender.
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Cava has four other locations in the Tulsa area. For more, go to cava.com. Big Dipper Creamery has two other locations, in Sand Springs and in Mother Road Market. bigdipperok.com.
Cocina 66, the food business incubator for Tulsa-area Latino entrepreneurs, celebrated the graduation of the latest group of participants with a ceremony held Monday, May 15, at the Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave.
A sister concept to the Kitchen 66 Launch Program, Cocina 66 teaches a seven-week business training course completely in Spanish to start-up food entrepreneurs. The program helps participants develop practical experience, sales training, marketing and communications skills, as well as access to a commercial kitchen space to develop culinary skills in a professional environment.
This sessions graduations, and the food concepts they created, are:
Elsa Ramirez: Bakery concept featuring a Mexican version of tiramisu plus custom cakes
Jesus Claudio: Barbecue concept combining local flavors with Mexican carne asada
Jose Colon & Karla Rosa: Puerto Rican concept featuring Tripleta sandwiches and bakery items like biscocho cake
Raquel Sandoval: El Salvadorian concept featuring pupusas
Adela Castaneda: Mexican sandwich concept
Maria Aidin Cuellar: Fried pastry concept focused on Venezuelan flavors
Bianca Bailon: Authentic Tamales and Mexican catering
Preetiben Dave: Indian-Mexican fusion concept
Karla Ivelisse: Authentic Puerto Rican food
To learn more about the Cocina 66 and Kitchen 66 Launch Programs: kitchen66tulsa.com.