Sometimes when companies need to ship cargo, intermodal drayage is the best option. It uses multiple types of transportation in a refined way. If you plan to use these methods for the first time, make sure you follow these protocols.

Keep Your Commercial Trucks in Good Condition

The trucks you use for intermodal drayage cargo transport are pivotal resources that you need to keep in good condition. Then you can avoid unexpected breakdowns and subsequent delays that otherwise would cost your company a lot of time and money to deal with.

You can opt into a thorough fleet maintenance program and thus rest assured no truck in the rotation will be neglected. Just make sure this program is focused on things like routine inspections, timely part replacements, and fluid changes. These simple actions can keep your rigs in optimal condition so they work great at both the front and back end of intermodal drayage transportation. 

Utilize Tracking Technology

Since multiple modes of transportation are involved in intermodal drayage transport, there are more variables you need to keep track of. You won't get overwhelmed by them if you take advantage of tracking technology from the jump.

For instance, you can use a transportation system that lets you track your cargo's journey from beginning to end. This can help in a couple of key ways. For one, it ensures you're ready for the arrival of cargo at different drop-off points. It also lets you learn from intermodal drayage activities in an effort to make improvements over time. 

Put Trust in the Right Logistics Manager

As mentioned above, there are a lot of moving parts with intermodal drayage transport. It's thus a good idea to hire a logistics manager to help with key activities, such as booking with carriers, monitoring your cargo, and making adjustments when they're needed.

You just need to make sure your logistics manager has a lot of experience with intermodal drayage transport. They should know what factors are relevant to monitor and what obstacles could come up in the future. They can then put together relevant contingencies that keep your company prepared for anything.

Shipping cargo with multiple modes of transportation falls under intermodal drayage, which isn't as complicated as it may seem. You just need to make smart decisions throughout each stage of shipping. You'll be able to if you prepare in advance, hire a logistics manager, and continue to refine intermodal drayage over the years. 

Contact a professional to learn more about intermodal drayage transportation.