Hauling Containers: Port Drayage Drivers in the Logistics Supply Chain

With the globalization of production, the goods-moving sector of the economy has increasing significance.Over half of all imported goods consumed in the U.S. arrive by container ship and are largely moved from the port terminal to the next point in the supply chain by truck. This “port drayage” system employs drivers that work under a particular set of conditions. We look more closely at this sector of the logistics labor force. We replicate and extend studies done on port drayage workers at other U.S. ports based on a survey distributed to port truckers in Jacksonville, Florida. Our quantitative and qualitative results confirm prior studies regarding the most significant work-related challenges facing drivers. These include levels and methods of compensation, delays and bottlenecks, unsafe chassis, and treatment by terminal workers. Finally, we make policy recommendations for improving both the quality of the work and the efficiency of the logistics supply chain.