Why is drayage cash flow so unpredictable?
Drayage revenue depends on how many container moves each truck completes, and that depends on terminal congestion, appointment availability and chassis supply. A good week at the port can turn into a slow one when vessels bunch up. Driver pay and fixed costs stay steady while completed moves, and invoices, swing with conditions you do not control.
Fleets working the ports of New York and New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah and Boston see similar patterns:
- Turn times: long terminal lines cut moves per shift
- Appointments: limited slots push work into overtime or the next day
- Chassis: shortages or out-of-service units add delays and rental costs
- Vessel timing: bunched arrivals create feast-or-famine weeks
How do per diem and demurrage charges affect a drayage fleet?
Per diem and demurrage charges are fees for keeping containers or equipment beyond free time. Responsibility depends on contracts, but drayage fleets often end up fronting or disputing them when terminal delays or customer receiving problems cause the overrun. Even when charges are eventually passed back, the cash can be tied up for weeks.
Keep timestamps, gate records and appointment confirmations for every move so you can show why a container sat. Contract language on who pays these charges matters, so have a qualified professional review it. We do not give legal advice. Our guide to port congestion and drayage cash flow goes deeper.
Who pays drayage fleets, and how long does it take?
Drayage fleets may bill beneficial cargo owners, freight forwarders, customs brokers, logistics companies or ocean carrier programs, each with its own payment habits. Some pay on standard terms, others add review steps for accessorials like chassis split or wait time. A mix of slow payers can leave a drayage fleet waiting well beyond its own weekly costs.
Track days to pay by customer type. A forwarder that pays quickly on line-haul but disputes every accessorial may be a bigger cash drain than it looks. Read shipper-direct vs. broker freight cash cycles.
Which funding fits a drayage fleet?
A business line of credit fits the swings best, letting you draw during congested weeks and repay when moves and payments pick up. Working capital fits a one-time need, like carrying costs through a backlog. Equipment financing can cover yard tractors, chassis or technology such as telematics when needed. Freight factoring is an alternative some owners compare.
- Business line of credit for congested weeks and slow payers
- Working capital for a backlog or one-time gap
- Equipment financing for chassis, yard equipment or tracking systems
What do funders look at for a drayage fleet?
Funders review recent bank statements, time in business, credit and existing payments, like any fleet. Requirements vary by product and funder; many look at time in business, monthly revenue and credit. Because drayage deposits swing with port conditions, a longer statement history and a short explanation of busy and slow periods help reviewers read the pattern correctly.
- Recent business bank statements, every page
- Accounts receivable aging by customer
- Main customers and terms
- Owner ID and business details
Port access credentials and equipment requirements come from the official agencies and terminals, so confirm them directly.
When should a drayage fleet not borrow?
Avoid borrowing to cover accessorial charges you are unlikely to recover or rates that do not account for real turn times. If the fleet loses money on typical moves even in normal weeks, funding only postpones the problem. Negotiate accessorial terms and wait-time billing first, then use funding for genuine timing gaps.
Also watch concentration. A drayage fleet serving one large importer can see revenue drop fast if that account shifts ports. See customer concentration for fleets, and apply when the gap is timing.
Frequently asked questions
Can funding cover per diem charges I am disputing?
Working capital or a line of credit can cover operating costs while a dispute is resolved, but funding does not change who owes the charge. Keep documentation for every move, bill promptly and have a qualified professional review contract terms on responsibility.
How do funders view the swings in drayage revenue?
Swings are expected in drayage. Funders look for a pattern they can understand. A longer statement history and a brief explanation of port congestion periods help. A steady decline across many months raises more questions than predictable ups and downs.
Can I finance chassis or yard equipment?
Often, yes. Equipment financing can cover chassis, yard tractors and technology like telematics, with the equipment usually securing the deal. Terms follow useful life, and a vendor quote is the key document.
Which ports does I-95 Funding work with?
I-95 Funding helps drayage fleets serving ports along the East Coast and nationwide. Funding decisions are based on your business, not the specific port, so the application works the same wherever you run.
How fast can a drayage fleet get funded?
It depends on the product and your documents. Some approvals come within a day or two, depending on documents. Opening a line of credit before congestion builds gives you flexibility when you need it most.
Keep containers moving
Tell us how your drayage operation runs, and we will show you options from our funding partners.
Updated September 14, 2026 · I-95 Funding Team