The logistics industry almost has its own language. A typical conversation between two logistics pros is filled with jargon that is very hard for industry outsiders to understand. This article series will explore some of these words as a fun way of getting to know the ins and outs of logistics.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s word is pre-pull<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When a container arrives at a port, you usually have a specified number of days to pick it up before you begin incurring what is known as demurrage fees. Think of demurrage as a kind of late payment. These fees can be quite costly, as they are often charged by container<\/a> and by day. So if your shipment includes several containers, it could mean a serious hit to your bottom line even if you were late for just a couple of days.<\/p>\n The solution for avoiding demurrage fees seems to be quite simple: just pick up your containers<\/a> in time. But unfortunately, life doesn\u2019t always work that way. Unforeseen events happen. There\u2019s bad weather and family emergencies. A warehouse isn\u2019t able to receive the cargo until after the last \u201cfree\u201d day at the port. And so on.<\/p>\n Luckily, some carriers offer pre-pull services that are specifically intended to avoid demurrage fees. When you ask for a pre-pull, your carrier will pick up your cargo at the port just in time before you start incurring demurrage fees and will temporarily store it in its yard until you can deliver it to its final destination.<\/p>\n Pre-pull services are not necessarily free, of course, but they are almost always way lower than demurrage fees. When it comes to the bottom line, we\u2019ll take a pre-pull over demurrage any day.<\/p>\n Quickload offers a pre-pull option as part of its Container Services<\/a>. To use it, it\u2019s as easy as checking a box in your quote request form. Learn more about Quickload\u2019s services here.<\/a><\/p>\n