Container Drayage KPIs: How to Measure Your Drayage Performance

Container Drayage KPIs: Measuring Carrier Performance

How do you know if your drayage carrier is performing well at PortMiami? Track these key performance indicators to evaluate service and identify improvement opportunities.

On-Time Pickup Rate

What percentage of containers are picked up within the agreed timeframe after becoming available? Target: 95%+. Late pickups lead to demurrage charges and supply chain delays. Asset-based carriers like Go Freight typically outperform brokers on this metric.

Transit Time Consistency

Average time from port gate-out to delivery at your warehouse. More important than raw speed is consistency — can you predict when containers will arrive? Track average transit time and standard deviation.

Demurrage and Detention Cost per Container

If your average demurrage/detention cost per container exceeds $50, your drayage provider or your internal processes need improvement. Best-in-class operations achieve near-zero demurrage through proactive scheduling.

Cost per Container

Track all-in cost including base rate, accessorials, wait time, and detention. Compare quarterly to identify trends. Volume increases should lead to rate decreases — if they don’t, renegotiate.

Go Freight’s Performance Standards

Go Freight tracks these KPIs internally and shares performance data with customers. Our drayage service targets 95%+ on-time pickup, consistent transit times, and near-zero demurrage for proactively managed accounts.