Port of Savannah Improvements 

The Port of Savannah had a very busy summer, although experts predict a slowdown for quarter four of 2022. Overall imports continue to increase by roughly 9% each year.  

The Port of Savannah is undergoing major improvements to accommodate additional shipments and move larger amounts of consumer goods through the port.  

The first change is that the port is expanding the Garden City Terminal to handle six 14,000-TEU ships simultaneously. As the third-largest container gateway in the U.S., this will allow the port to funnel a much higher volume of Asia imports into the U.S. The entity making the changes is the Georgia Ports Authority which is in charge of the Garden City Terminal 

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and works in conjunction with the Class I railroads, Norfolk Southern Railway, and CSX Transportation.  

Additional changes include adding new rail and berth projects to boost the total number of ship-to-shore cranes. The expansion plans will improve efficiency and expand the port’s ability to handle more freight and quickly move higher volumes of goods through the gateway. Additionally, the port authority is changing its rules about storing empty containers (lowering the number of allowed empty containers) to use the limited space more efficiently. 

For the past twenty years, the Port of Savannah has grown to become the third largest port in the world by attracting big box retailers and product distributors. The proposed expansion will continue to allow the Port of Savannah to dominate within the realm of e-commerce and intermodal rail, making it an essential link in the global supply chain.  

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Tips to Stay Safe 

The trucker tips below to stay safe on the road are simple yet impactful.  

1. Avoid Distracted Driving – Stay off your cell phone while driving. Do not text while the vehicle is moving, and avoid programming your GPS until you are stopped. Texting and using the phone while driving is illegal in many states. 
2. Always Wear Your Seatbelt – Don’t let the size of your vehicle fool you. If you are in an accident, you could still be seriously injured. Always wear your seatbelt for safety.  
3. Follow Speed Limits – Always follow the posted speed limit and obey other road rules. If you are driving in unfamiliar territory, take it extra slow and watch for road signs.  
4. Take Breaks – Many trucker accidents occur because of overtiredness. Be sure not to push yourself to unreasonable limits. Take necessary breaks to rest.  
5. Don’t Drink and Drive – Avoid drinking before a shift, and don’t take drugs that could impair your ability to drive safely. 
6. Plan Each Trip Well – Use your GPS but plan for stops to eat and use the restroom. 
7. Maintain a Proper Distance – Your truck is heavy and less agile than other vehicles on the road; always keep enough space between you and other cars to remain safe, especially when slowing or stopping. 
8. Slow Down Around Curves – Slow your truck down when approaching curves or off-ramps.  
9. Adjust for the Weather – Adjust your driving speed and style to match the weather. Be extra cautious in poor conditions. 
10. Eat and Get Rest – Be sure to have snacks with you and take a few breaks to stretch your legs and loosen your body. Sitting for too long can be unhealthy. 

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There was a day when women only held traditional job positions, and trucking was not one of them. However, things have changed, and we now see women in various careers formerly dominated by men.

More Women Taking to the Road

The supply chain issues, and the trucker shortage have inspired more women to enter the trucking industry. Many trucking companies are offering strong incentives for women to join the industry. 

A career in trucking offers women more freedom, good income, a flexible schedule, and the opportunity to travel to other places. 

Women in Trucking Statistics

You might be surprised at some of these statistics about women in the trucking industry.

• Just under half (47%) of the trucking workforce is staffed by women.
• 7% of all truckers are female.
• 23% of carrier employees are female.

The number of women in the trucking industry has climbed steadily over the past ten years and is expected to continue well into the future. 

Part of the reason is organizations like the Women in Trucking (WIT) Association and the National Transportation Institute (NTI), which have worked hard to make trucking jobs appealing to women and offer them opportunities in management positions. 

Incentives for Women in Trucking

Women in the trucking industry are paid equally to their counterparts regardless of whether they hold trucker positions or management roles. In addition, new employees receive the same income opportunities as veteran staff members.

Most trucking companies offer their employees good benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance. Other benefits that women can look forward to in the trucking industry are pension plans, vacation time, flexible hours, and paid time off. 

Additionally, some companies will pay for training for their employees to earn their CDL (commercial driver’s license) and other certifications. 

Supporting Women in Trucking

Southern Companies strongly supports women in trucking and is eager to see more female truckers join the workforce in the near future.

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Various shipping ports around the world make up the global supply chain. Each one plays an essential role in moving goods from one location to another and helping merchants reach their customers. The Port of Houston is an international shipping port in Texas and a vital link in the supply chain.

All About the Port

Houston is the country’s #1 region for exporting goods. In addition, the area is known for petrochemical manufacturing and crude oil exportation. Accordingly, the Port of Houston has extensive plans to expand to support the new business.

Some changes include widening (by 170 feet) and deepening the channel to accommodate larger vessels. Plans also include adding additional safety features and improvements in parking. 

The Houston port is more than 100 years old and supports 200 companies along the 52-mile ship channel. Due to its size, the port holds the title of the #1 U.S. port in waterborne tonnage. Petroleum and related products are the primary cargo shipped out of the Port of Houston. 

The port supports 3.2 million jobs and earns more than $38 billion in revenue each year. In addition, it positively affects the surrounding community through an $801.9 billion economic impact. 

The Port of Houston is the largest on the Gulf Coast and the largest in Texas, vital for moving fuel to other regions of the country and across the globe. It is fully supported by a network of railway, truck, and airway connections to act as a central gateway for transportation. 

How Southern Companies Can Help

If you need assistance moving your products through the Port of Houston, Southern Companies can help. Contact us today to learn more about our global logistics services and how we coordinate with domestic and international ports worldwide to facilitate clients’ valuable cargo moving from one location to another.

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What are Railroad Sidings?

Railroad sidings are low-speed railroad tracks situated near but separate from high-speed tracks. They may connect with other sidings or through main tracks that carry cargo. The rails are lighter weight, meant for lower speeds and less traffic.

Often railroad sidings are used to unload and load railway cars. They are also used for stabling and storing vehicles and storing rolling stock. Additionally, railroad siding warehouses are used in conjunction with these rails and store goods for transportation. Logistic companies can use railroad sidings to transfer goods from point A to point B with warehouse stops in between. 

The Benefits of Railroad Sidings

Because these railroads are separate from commercial railways, they can be used specifically for the transfer of goods very economically without using other modes of transportation. As a result, the process is simpler and more affordable. Additionally, fewer truckers on the road mean less congestion, lower fuel costs, and less road damage to roadways and highways. 

It’s a streamlined method of transporting goods quicker and easier without the usual hassles. Railway sidings have been underused because trucking, shipping, and air freight took precedence. However, with the economic downturn and rising costs, railroad sidings are re-emerging as a viable solution. 

Using railroad sidings also positively impacts the environment because it uses fuel-efficient trains, reducing greenhouse gases by 75%. A single locomotive can carry as many goods as hundreds of trucks. It’s a cost-effective, incredibly efficient mode of transportation for merchandise. 

Contact Southern Companies today if you want to learn more about using railroad sidings to move your products.

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Features of the Port of Miami

For starters, PortMiami is one of the largest commercial freight/cargo and passenger ports in the U.S. It is located on Dodge Island and Biscayne Bay at the mouth of the Miami River in Miami, Florida. 

In 2021, the port of Miami experienced record-breaking figures in terms of cargo. The increase came from Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The port’s total TEU’s (twenty-foot equivalent unit), was 1,254,062, up 18% from 2020. 

Additionally, the port provides more than 334,000 jobs annually. It is one of the world’s busiest ports bringing $43 billion into the community each year. 

According to Miami-Dade County, World Bank Group and S&P Global Market Intelligence Container Port Performance Index for 2021 ranked PortMiami as “the #1 port in Florida for efficient container performance.”

To become this impressive world-class gateway, the port invested $1 billion in capital improvements for cargo, including a deep-water channel (-50/52 ft depth) and new super Post-Panamax gantry cranes, as well as upgrades to its on-dock intermodal rail allowing the port to easily connect to more than 70% of the U.S. population in roughly four days. Additionally, the port added a fast access tunnel link to the U.S. interstate highway system. All of this combined has turned the port of Miami into one of the most desirable ports to use for shipping goods. 

The infrastructure changes have allowed the port of Miami to welcome 300+ post-Panamax vessels requiring a -39 ft draft or deeper into the port. 

The Port of Miami Future

These improvements have led to the port surpassing the 1 million TEO mark for seven consecutive years, and for 2021, the number soared to 1.25 million TEUs. The Miami port expects this trend to continue well into the future. 

PortMiami has future improvements planned that will help build more accommodations for cruise ships and cargo vessels, including state-of-the-art cargo facilities. Additionally, the port plans to further enhance its security technology, policies, and procedures to keep people, assets, and property safe. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the port of Miami a $16 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant for its NetZero: Cargo Mobility Optimization and Resiliency Project. The plan is to convert the entire cargo chain operation to a carbon-neutral operation from PortMiami to its final destination. 

What Does PortMiami Mean to You?

If you want to learn more about the port of Miami and how it can support your cargo imports/exports, contact Southern Companies today!

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What is an Owner-Operator?

An owner-operator is a truck driver who either owns or leases their own truck and forms relationships with transportation companies to help them fulfill orders and transport goods. You are essentially your own boss running your own business.

How Do You Become One?

After obtaining your CDL (commercial driver’s license), you can embark on the road to becoming an owner-operator. You will need to be responsible for all aspects of your business, including finding clients, transporting goods, billing, and maintaining your equipment. Some tips include:

Form a Real Business and Obtain Your USDOT Number

Register your business name with the state and apply for an official USDOT number with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Get Your Trucking Authority

Contact the FMCSA after you obtain your USDOT number to get a Motor Carrier (MC) Number, also known as your trucking authority. 

Obtain Insurance

Insure your truck with a good insurance carrier. Shop around for the best coverage at the best rates. 

Buy or Lease a Truck

Find a truck that meets the FMCSA requirements, that you can easily afford.

Build Your Reputation and Network

Build a solid reputation with transportation companies and clients to keep your business growing. Make your deliveries on time and without any incidents. Find ways to attract new clients and keep your existing ones happy.

You must also stay compliant with DOT regulations, keep your truck in good working condition, maintain good records, especially maintenance details, and keep your paperwork organized.

To learn more contact Southern Companies today!

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Regardless of the industry, being on time is critical. When you need to move your goods from one place to another, you must trust a company that understands how vital on-time deliveries are and why. 

On-Time Deliveries Defined

On-time delivery refers to transporting goods from one location to another on time and in the total amount requested. Customer demands have made supply chains more complex and transporting cargo on-time essential. 

Why On-Time Delivery is So Important

Everyone wants things delivered on time, but there are real logistical reasons for delivering goods in the timeframe allotted. 

• Customers demand on-time deliveries, and if you fail to keep a dedicated schedule, you could lose income and destroy your reputation. 
• On-time deliveries build trust with your customers and credibility for your business. Reliability fosters strong business relationships and leads to more sales. 
• Sometimes, strict state and federal legal guidelines dictate the timeliness of deliveries. 
• Often, cargo is perishable and must be delivered within a specific timeframe to remain viable.
• Maintaining an on-time delivery service is more professional, and customers can rely on you and trust you with their most valuable assets. In addition, on-time deliveries are tied closely to customer satisfaction and repeat business.

The Ripple-Effect

Another essential factor is that if one aspect of transporting goods is late, it can cause a ripple effect and cause further delays down the line. 

The goal of on-time deliveries is not just a metric to strive for; it strongly affects the entire supply chain including, vendors, customers, shippers, carriers, receivers, and others affected by the supply chain. 

Making On-Time Deliveries a Priority

Southern Companies prides itself on making on-time deliveries a way of business. Contact us today to learn more about how we ensure point-to-point on-time deliveries. 

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What is Drayage?

Drayage refers to transporting goods a short distance between two intermodal points. An intermodal point is a trucking location, train station, warehouse, or seaport. Often, drayage refers to frozen or refrigerated goods, and the loads are usually quite large, sometimes more than 1,000 tons. The containers used for drayage are extremely large. Therefore, drayage is a specialized type of transportation requiring very specific equipment and staff. 

How Does Drayage Work?

The process of drayage transports goods quickly over short distances. It usually involves more than one mode of transport, such as trucks, ships, planes, and trains. 

An example might be a shipment of new vehicles that arrives at a port in Boston. These vehicles need to be moved to dealerships across the United States via train. Drayage takes over and collects the containers from the seaport and then transports them to the train station. Once each container reaches the next train station, drayage again comes into play as a truck picks up each vehicle and drives it to the individual dealership that purchased it.

Drayage moves shipments along their intermodal stages and helps them reach their final destination by stepping in when necessary. Because each gap may vary, drayage must be very flexible to handle the complexities of each shipment. Drayage helps to iron out the logistics since some portions of a single shipment might need to continue by ship, railway, or truck headed for different locations.

Drayage also includes loading and unloading cargo from one mode of shipment to the next. The new vehicles used in the example above may need to be offloaded from the cargo container and driven onto a double-decker vehicle transport truck or moved onto a train car for their continued journey. Drayage takes care of all of that. 

Types of Drayage

Drayage consists of more than one type of transportation. Some of the most common classifications of drayage include:

Inter-Carrier – When a drayage company transfers goods from one mode of transport to another. Such as above with the shipping container to the train.

Intra-Carrier – This is when a company uses the same carrier to handle all the separate steps during intermodal transportation which may include planes, ships, trucks, and trains. 

Expedited – Drayage that relies on the quick transportation of goods that require speedy delivery.

Pier – Pier drayage is when a drayage company uses trucks to transport goods to and from a pier.

Door-to-Door – Transports products from shipping containers to the end-user, usually via trucks (think Amazon).

Shuttle – To avoid overcrowding at intermodal hubs, a drayage company will temporarily move goods to a secure location and then back when they are ready to move onto their next stop.

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