Drayage resource
How to find a drayage carrier for a port or rail ramp
A practical checklist for finding container drayage carriers by port or rail market and checking their federal registration before you book.
How do I find a drayage carrier for a specific port?
Start from the port or rail ramp where the container is, shortlist carriers that serve that market, then confirm each company's USDOT registration and operating authority with FMCSA before tendering a load.
Search by where the container is, not where the carrier is headquartered
Drayage moves start or end at a specific marine terminal or rail ramp. A carrier's mailing address does not tell you which terminals it serves. In the Dray Day directory, carriers are listed by the markets they declare, and declared coverage is shown separately from any regional verification.
Shortlist checklist
Ask each carrier to confirm:
- The terminals or ramps they pull from regularly
- Equipment: chassis access, container sizes, overweight capability
- Whether drivers hold TWIC cards for secure port areas
- Whether they are a UIIA participant for equipment interchange
- Insurance certificates naming the coverage you require
Check federal registration
Look up the USDOT number on the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot to see the registered legal name, operating status and authority. Compare the name with the company you are speaking to.
Sources
- FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot
- TSA — Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Intermodal Association of North America — UIIA
Last reviewed October 27, 2026. General information, not legal or compliance advice.