Every day a container sits at a port or rail yard past free time, it’s costing you money. Demurrage charges stack up fast — and when your drayage carrier is slow to dispatch, unresponsive, or short on chassis, you’re the one eating the bill. That’s not a carrier problem. That’s a broker problem.
Aries Freight Systems is a Chicago-based drayage freight broker with a network of 250+ vetted drayage carriers covering port terminals, intermodal rail yards, and inland container depots across the US. We move your containers on time, coordinate chassis availability, and keep you ahead of free time windows — so demurrage and per diem fees stay off your invoice.
Whether you’re pulling import containers from a port terminal, moving freight through Chicago’s intermodal rail network, or coordinating transloading from container to trailer, our team handles the details from the first call to proof of delivery.
WHAT IS DRAYAGE SHIPPING?
Drayage is the short-haul transport of freight — typically in shipping containers — between a port, rail yard, or intermodal facility and its next destination: a warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing floor. It’s the first or last leg of an international supply chain, and one of the most time-sensitive moves in freight.
Drayage becomes critical when:
- Your import container arrives at a port terminal and needs to reach a warehouse before free time expires
- Your freight is moving through Chicago's intermodal rail network and needs a last-mile drayage partner
- You need a container transloaded from a shipping container into a domestic trailer for final distribution
- Your shipment is bonded and requires a carrier with the proper customs-bonded authority
- You need to return an empty container to the terminal before per diem fees kick in
The difference between a good drayage broker and a bad one is measured in hours — and dollars. Aries has the carrier relationships and dispatch infrastructure to move fast when your container hits the ground.
→ Moving freight cross-border after drayage? See our Cross-Border Mexico services
Drayage Services We Cover
Our drayage carrier network covers every container movement scenario across major US port and rail markets:
Port Drayage
Container pickup and delivery at major US port terminals — from the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach to East Coast and Gulf Coast terminals. We coordinate with terminal operators, track container availability, and dispatch carriers to hit your free time window before per diem charges begin.
Rail & Intermodal Drayage
Chicago is the largest intermodal rail hub in North America. We move containers out of BNSF, Union Pacific, CN, and CSX rail yards and deliver to your facility — or coordinate inbound container delivery to the rail ramp for outbound intermodal moves.
Transloading
When your ocean container needs to be transferred into a domestic 53-ft trailer for nationwide distribution, our transloading partners handle the freight transfer, repalletizing, and outbound dispatch — keeping your supply chain moving without delay.
Expedited & Bonded Drayage
Time-critical container moves, US Customs-bonded drayage, and in-bond transfers between ports and bonded warehouses — handled by carriers with the proper authority and insurance to move bonded freight without breaking seal.
Need over-the-road freight after drayage? See our Dry Van services →
Industries We Serve
Our drayage network supports importers and domestic shippers across every major vertical:
Retail & Consumer Goods Importers
Manufacturing & Industrial
Food & Beverage Distribution
Automotive Parts & OEM Supply
Electronics & Technology
Healthcare & Medical Devices
E-Commerce Fulfillment
Building Materials & Construction
If it’s in a container and needs to move, we have a carrier for it.
Why Aries for Drayage
Drayage is where supply chains either hold together or fall apart. Late pickups, missed free time windows, chassis no-shows, and unreachable carriers are the norm with inexperienced brokers. Aries runs drayage differently — with a dedicated carrier network, proactive communication, and 24/7 dispatch that tracks your container from release to delivery.
- ✓ 236+ vetted drayage carriers covering major port and rail markets across the US
- ✓ Free time tracking — we monitor your container availability and coordinate pickup before per diem begins
- ✓ Chassis coordination — we confirm chassis availability before dispatching, not after
- ✓ Real-time GPS tracking and status updates from pickup to delivery
- ✓ 24/7 dispatch — a real person manages your load around the clock, including nights and weekends
- ✓ 99.9% claims-free delivery rate across all drayage moves
- ✓ Chicago HQ — the center of the largest intermodal rail network in North America
Moving LTL freight once the container is unpacked? See our LTL services →
Drayage Freight — Frequently Asked Questions
Drayage is the short-distance transport of freight — typically shipping containers — between a port terminal, rail yard, or intermodal facility and a warehouse or distribution center. It’s a critical link in import and export supply chains, where timing directly affects detention and per diem costs.
Ready to Move Your Container?
Get a drayage quote from Aries Freight Systems — Chicago’s port and intermodal container specialists with 236+ vetted drayage carriers, 24/7 dispatch, and free time tracking on every load.
Get a Free QuoteOr call us 24/7 — a real person always answers.
