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 Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, 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 Seattle, 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.
ReactionsLike45EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants didn't hold a full-scale sale at the trade deadline. They traded Leonard Williams and his 1.5 sacks some 24 hours be...
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants didn't hold a full-scale sale at the trade deadline. They traded Leonard Williams and his 1.5 sacks some 24 hours beforehand and then stood pat with nine games remaining.
It may not have been completely by choice. If there were a quality offer for cornerback Adoree' Jackson, he would probably be on another team too.
But there wasn't. And here we are with the Giants set to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, moving forward without one of their better defensive players in Williams, who is a free agent after this season that likely wasn't going to be re-signed.
They now have an extra second-round pick in 2024 and fifth-round pick in 2025 from the Seattle Seahawks. A quality haul considering the Washington Commanders got a third-round pick for Chase Young.
In a way, the Giants (2-6) admitted what those outside 1925 Giants Drive already knew: They aren't a playoff team and needed to prioritize the future.
That's not an easy thing to justify to your locker room.
"You tell them how it went down; [General manager] Joe [Schoen] wasn't actively shopping anyone," coach Brian Daboll said. "Obviously, he fields calls as a general manager, so we have confidence in the guys that we have and let's go out there and have a good week."
It's the second straight year that Schoen made a trade without "shopping" anyone. Last year, it was wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
In this case, Williams was a player Seattle inquired about last year as well, a source told ESPN. The Giants weren't willing to part with him for just anything. It needed to be a strong offer.
The Seahawks acquiesced, in large part because the Giants were willing to eat almost the full $10 million that Williams was still owed. Schoen, who has been realistic about the roster he inherited since he arrived, needed to strike while there were others willing to pay with valuable draft capital.
"I probably was naïve to it. Or to anything. I just don't think like that," said defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who was Williams' closest friend on the team. "I didn't see why. I still don't understand why. It is what it is."
This is what Daboll now has to deal with. Keeping this team together in what almost certainly will be a lost year. It's not what this group was expecting after last year's playoff appearance and first-round win.
Trading Williams was one thing. Trading star running back Saquon Barkley would have been another, even if he's also set to become a free agent at the end of the season. He's the face of the franchise and moving him at the deadline would have been the equivalent of Schoen waving a white flag.
That would have been a tough sell to owner John Mara, who considers the product he puts out there for the paying consumer.
So now the Giants trudge forward against an easier schedule -- only one of their next six opponents has a winning record -- with what they anticipate will include a healthier roster. Quarterback Daniel Jones is returning this week from a neck injury. Left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) and right tackle Evan Neal (ankle) are trending in the right direction for Sunday against the Raiders, too. Thomas hasn't played since trying to chase down a blocked field goal in Week 1 against Dallas.
It should all help, and there is a reasonable chance the Giants win some games as a result.
"I think we're all focused on doing what we can to help make plays, score points, and do what we can to put the team in position to win games," Jones said. "That's what we're focused on as a group, and we're excited to do it."
That is really what the rest of this season is about once again. Finding out if Jones and the rest of this team is really moving in the right direction or if last year was a blip on the radar. The defense has been playing well, but can they get the offensive line back to being average while Jones plays at (or above) the level he showed last season?
These are key questions. If not, the Giants will have a high pick in the draft. At that point, quarterback would need to be considered. Currently, the Giants are projected to finish with the third-worst record in the NFL, according to ESPN Analytics.
If that's the case, the extra draft capital could be the difference in helping them move up to get the quarterback they desire or supplement a roster that clearly needs work. Either way, it's more valuable at 2-6 than having Williams around to try to scratch out an extra win or two.
As the Mariners turn their attention toward 2024, this page will continue to be updated throughout the offseason. Please note that players on the 60-day injured list must be added back onto the 40-man roster after the World Series.Nov. 2: RHP Cody Bolton acquired from Pirates in exchange for cash considerations The Mariners' first offseason trade came one day after the World Series, and perhaps u...
As the Mariners turn their attention toward 2024, this page will continue to be updated throughout the offseason. Please note that players on the 60-day injured list must be added back onto the 40-man roster after the World Series.
Nov. 2: RHP Cody Bolton acquired from Pirates in exchange for cash considerations The Mariners' first offseason trade came one day after the World Series, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it's for a reliever that the club believes has upside. The 25-year-old Bolton appeared in 16 games for Pittsburgh in 2023, when he surrendered 15 earned runs and 15 walks, with 22 strikeouts, a 2.11 WHIP and a 6.33 ERA over 21 1/3 innings. The 6-foot-2 righty spent a whopping seven separate stints in the Majors in 2023 after making his debut on April 29. Bolton also made 34 appearances (including two starts) with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2023, going 3-4 with a 3.86 ERA (20 ER, 46.2 IP), 18 walks, 47 strikeouts and a 1.221 WHIP.
Bolton throws three pitches, per Baseball Savant: a four-seam fastball that averaged 95.2 mph, a changeup that he mostly threw to lefties and a sweeper that carried an average spin rate of 2,735 RPM, well above the league average of 2,573 RPM. The Mariners have a reputation for taking pitchers of Bolton's caliber and better harnessing their stuff, most recently doing so with Gabe Speier and Justin Topa last season.
Bolton was a sixth-round pick in 2017 out of Tracy (Calif.) High School.
Oct. 31: RHP Penn Murfee claimed off waivers by the Mets; RHP Easton McGee, RHP Adam Oller and C Luis Torrens outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma The Mariners' first offseason transaction was one of housekeeping, but there was some surprise to see leverage reliever Murfee leave the organization. The right-hander was recently placed on outright waivers -- along with the other three -- but did not pass through without enough interest from the Mets, who claimed him.
Murfee underwent Tommy John surgery in July and is expected to miss the entire 2024 season, and the Mariners are obviously preparing for the offseason's official start after the World Series by clearing valuable 40-man roster spots. The Mets, badly needing bullpen help -- even with the logic of thinking long-term -- will hold Murfee's services through 2028, after which he'll be eligible for free agency.
In 16 outings last year, Murfee carried a 1.29 ERA and 322 ERA+ (league average is 100), with 16 strikeouts and 10 walks in 14 innings. He first experienced right elbow inflammation in early May, leading to a month-long stint on the injured list, then he suffered the season-ending injury in his first outing back, on June 11. The 29-year-old was among the many success stories in Seattle's bullpen since its rebuild and was a key piece to the 2022 postseason club.
"Looking forward to baseball in the Big Apple!" Murfee wrote on Instagram. "Thank you as well to the @mariners for a wonderful 5 years. Thank you to my teammates, family, friends, staff, and fans for all the support along the way! It has been a pleasure!"
McGee also underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and will miss a significant chunk of 2024. Oller finished the year at Tacoma, while Torrens wrapped the season as Cal Raleigh's backup after Tom Murphy's season-ending thumb injury.
C Tom Murphy (left thumb sprain) Expected return: TBD Murphy, who is set to become a free agent, suffered what wound up being a season-ending injury when a ball in the dirt spiked back up and hit him in his catching thumb during Seattle's Aug. 11-13 series against Baltimore. (Last updated: Oct. 1)
RHP Emerson Hancock (right shoulder strain) Expected return: 2024 Hancock underwent a platelet rich plasma injection on Aug. 22 to try to speed up his healing process to what Mariners GM Justin Hollander described as a Grade One Plus strain. Hollander said Hancock is in Arizona and feels better after experiencing some soreness earlier in the week.
“He’’ll progress into strengthening the area,” Hollander said. “We’re going to be very conservative with it. … There is no expectation that he’s going to pitch again this year, so we’ll spend the time in the offseason to get it right once and for all.” (Last updated: Sept. 11)
LHP Marco Gonzales (left flexor) Expected return: TBD Gonzales underwent season-ending surgery on Aug. 22 to release the tension around the anterior interosseous nerve that had been lingering for more than two months in his pitching forearm. Gonzales estimated that by doing so now, he’ll be able to go through a regular offseason throwing program and be ready when pitchers and catchers report in Arizona in February. (Last updated: Aug. 25)
LHP Robbie Ray (left flexor tendon injury, Tommy John surgery) Expected return: 2024 Ray was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 12 as part of a roster formality in order to clear a spot for reliever Ty Adcock to be added to the 40-man. The lefty won't begin throwing until at least six months following the procedure, which he underwent on May 3. (Last updated: June 12)
RHP Easton McGee (right flexor strain) Expected return: 2024 McGee, who carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his MLB debut and then hit the shelf with the injury, will likely undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, which would also be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, Robbie Ray’s surgeon.
“What they are seeing is that the instability in his UCL is causing the flexor to not feel properly, so no matter how much you do on the rehab for the flexor, the UCL seems to be causing a problem,” GM Justin Hollander said. (Last updated: May 22)
1B Evan White (left groin strain, hip surgery) Expected return: TBD White underwent surgery on his left hip, the same area he underwent a season-ending procedure in 2021. The surgery was performed by Dr. Bryan T. Kelly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. (Last updated: May 22)
The 2023 concert season at T-Mobile Park was quieter than the Mariners’ bats down the stretch. After a show-less summer at the House of Julio, 2024 is already shaping up to be a major bounce-back season, concertwise.Green Day became the latest big-name act to announce a 2024 T-Mobile Park date on Thursday. The pop-punk giants, who slay...
The 2023 concert season at T-Mobile Park was quieter than the Mariners’ bats down the stretch. After a show-less summer at the House of Julio, 2024 is already shaping up to be a major bounce-back season, concertwise.
Green Day became the latest big-name act to announce a 2024 T-Mobile Park date on Thursday. The pop-punk giants, who slayed that very stadium two years ago, will return Sept. 23, 2024, with similarly big-time supporting acts in ’90s alt-rock greats The Smashing Pumpkins and ’90s pop-punk staples Rancid. Hotly tipped L.A. punks The Linda Lindas, who headline the Showbox on Nov. 13, will open.
Next year’s stadium run will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Green Day’s breakout smash “Dookie,” the album that catapulted the Bay Area trio from indie-label punk faves to mainstream rock stars, and the 20th anniversary of “American Idiot.” The tour is also in support of Green Day’s forthcoming “Saviors” album, the band’s 14th studio record, due Jan. 19.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Nov. 10. A Citi credit card presale runs from 10 a.m. Nov. 7 through 10 p.m. Nov. 9.
Word of Green Day’s ballpark bash comes one week after Chris Stapleton, who’s also no stranger to rocking Sodo, announced a July 27, 2024, show at T-Mobile Park. Speaking of serious supporting acts, the golden-voiced country rocker rounded up two certified greats for the Seattle date: outlaw country icon Willie Nelson and Family, and Sheryl Crow. Seattle country fans should be counting their lucky Lone Stars. As of now, Seattle appears to be the only city on Stapleton’s All-American Road Show tour to feature ol’ Willie, who celebrated his 90th birthday this year with a star-studded blowout in Los Angeles.
Presales are already underway for the Stapleton-led show, with the general onsale beginning 10 a.m. Nov. 3.
Stapleton and Green Day join previously announced T-Mobile Park concerts with country star Kane Brown (Aug. 16) and Seattle-formed rock juggernauts Foo Fighters (Aug. 18).
Michael Rietmulder: mrietmulder@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @mrietmulder. Michael Rietmulder is The Seattle Times music writer.
Seattle is expected to get more rain in the next week than it did in the entire month of October.Heavy rain began along falling the coast and through the Olympics Wednesday evening, spreading into the region and wetting pavement along the way overnight.Radar2:00 AM PDTThe heaviest overnight rainfall saturated the ground along the southwest slopes of the Olympics. Quinault received 3.24 inches of rain from midnight through 6 a.m. Thursday, and Seattle picked up 0.55 inches, the National Weather Service said....
Seattle is expected to get more rain in the next week than it did in the entire month of October.
Heavy rain began along falling the coast and through the Olympics Wednesday evening, spreading into the region and wetting pavement along the way overnight.
2:00 AM PDT
The heaviest overnight rainfall saturated the ground along the southwest slopes of the Olympics. Quinault received 3.24 inches of rain from midnight through 6 a.m. Thursday, and Seattle picked up 0.55 inches, the National Weather Service said.
Rain will continue through the day Thursday, with up to 4 inches expected in the Cascades and Olympics and 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches in the lowlands.
Winds will accompany the downpour, with the highest gusts (approaching 40 mph) in the lowlands in Skagit and Whatcom counties. Winds up to 20 mph will jostle the remaining lowland areas across Western Washington, the weather service said.
With all the wind and rain and rain and wind, localized flooding and standing water are possible in areas where downed leaves haven’t been cleared from drains.
The Skokomish River has been slow to respond to the heavy rain in the Olympics, but is “showing some life” as of Thursday morning, the weather service said. The river is expected to ride rapidly and crest by Thursday afternoon, close to flood stage.
A flood watch for Mason County remains in effect through Thursday night.
Even if the Skokomish River does not flood Thursday, the next system arriving Friday night will produce heavy rains, giving the waters another chance.
Friday (but only during the day) will serve as a brief reprieve from the rain before it returns in earnest by nightfall. Another weather system — an atmospheric river — will move in Friday night and deliver a second round of widespread rain across the region.
Friday’s overnight system is expected to bring another 1.6 to 1.8 inches of rain to the Seattle area and 2 to 2.5 inches to the Olympics, the weather service said.
Winds will increase again with gusts up to 35 mph ahead of the next system of rain set to arrive Saturday.
Showers are in the forecast through at least Wednesday, as high temperatures hover around normal, in the mid-50s, the weather service said.
If you’ve been adding up the rainfall totals, Seattle is expected to wash away October’s 2.89 inches of rain that fell at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the next few days.
Here are some tips from the Washington State Department of Transportation to drive safely on slick roads:
Material from The Seattle Times archives is included in this report.
Vonnai Phair: 206-464-2757 or vphair@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @vonnaiphair. Vonnai Phair covers morning breaking news and enterprise for The Seattle Times.
Lauren Girgis: 206-652-6591 or lgirgis@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @laurengirgis.