Drayage Dispatcher is an AI worker that autonomously orchestrates last-mile container movements from port to warehouse.
It transforms chaotic manual coordination into predictive scheduling, achieving 90% D&D cost reduction while boosting driver asset utilization by 60%.
What is Drayage Dispatcher?
- Last-Mile Orchestration. Resolves the most critical bottleneck in global supply chains: the "last mile" transfer from port terminals to inland destinations. Drayage is fragmented, opaque, and prone to costly friction. This AI worker replaces reactive human coordination with a proactive 24/7 algorithmic execution engine operating as a digital control tower.
- Real-Time Data Integration. Operating as an intelligent overlay between TMS, Port TOS, and carrier dispatch platforms, the agent continuously ingests vessel AIS signals, terminal gate availability, and chassis inventory statuses. Unlike human dispatchers who miss critical weekend email updates, it remains relentlessly vigilant.
- Predictive D&D Prevention. Calculates the "Last Free Day" for every container the moment it hits the dock, prioritizing dispatch based on demurrage and detention (D&D) risk. Autonomously matches loads with driver capacity and warehouse windows to pull containers at the mathematically optimal moment.
- Strategic Lifecycle Optimization. Uses predictive analytics to forecast terminal congestion and labor shortages, dynamically rerouting to avoid bottlenecks. Manages empty returns to correct depots before detention charges accrue, transforming a chaotic cost center into a streamlined operation.
Replaces:
- Manual "Check Calls" - GPS-based geofencing replaces constant driver status calls.
- Spreadsheet "Free Time" Tracking - Dynamic countdown prioritization replaces static Excel logs.
- Reactive Email Coordination - Automated scheduling ends email ping-pong between forwarders, truckers, and warehouses.
- Physical Gate Pass Management - Digital transmission of gate passes and PINs upon availability.
- Manual Invoice Reconciliation - Automated matching against agreed rates eliminates billing errors.
Ready to see Drayage Dispatcher in action?
Why Drayage Dispatcher?
- Eliminate Demurrage & Detention Liabilities. D&D charges have surged to $15.4 billion collected by carriers. A single container can reach $63,000 in extreme delays. Predictive tracking alerts 48 hours before free time expires, reducing D&D costs by up to 90%.
- Optimize Driver & Asset Utilization. 72% of drivers wait more than 2 hours at ports, with 3.4-hour average dwell times. Real-time terminal congestion analysis aligns arrivals with high gate fluidity, delivering a 60% boost in asset utilization.
- Enhance Real-Time Visibility. Integration with driver mobile apps and ELD data provides geofenced updates: "Arrived at Terminal," "Gate Out," "Arrived at Warehouse." Eliminates manual tracking and enables accurate delivery windows to downstream customers.
- Reduce Administrative Overhead. Automating dispatch from rate negotiation to POD collection reduces manual outreach by 50%. Teams handle higher volumes without added headcount, focusing on exceptions rather than data entry.
How It Works
Workflow Automation
How Drayage Dispatcher integrates with your systems
Receives booking events, matches available drivers, uses AI to optimize dispatch assignments, calculates ETAs, and sends driver instructions.
- Data Ingestion & Intent Perception. Ingests shipment data from TMS, ocean carrier APIs, and terminal systems. Extracts vessel ETA, container numbers, and deadlines while parsing unstructured Delivery Orders from emails into unified digital records.
- Predictive Scheduling & Matching. Analyzes pending shipments against driver capacity and terminal slots. Prioritizes containers by "Last Free Day" urgency and identifies optimal pickup windows to minimize wait times.
- Autonomous Dispatch & Coordination. Dispatches work orders to driver devices with gate passes, PINs, and instructions. If a driver rejects, instantly offers to the next available option for continuous flow.
- Active Monitoring & Financial Settlement. Tracks progress via geofencing, detects exceptions, and updates warehouse teams. Captures digital POD, audits invoices for unauthorized charges, and pushes to ERP for payment.
Get Started
Stop letting port congestion and manual coordination drain your profits. Deploy the Drayage Dispatcher AI Worker to gain total control over your last-mile logistics and eliminate thousands in avoidable fees.
See how Drayage Dispatcher works for your business
Core Capabilities
Predictive D&D Prevention
Calculates free time expiration dynamically to prioritize dispatch and prevent fees, reducing costs by up to ninety percent.
Autonomous Drayage Dispatch
Matches loads with drivers and issues digital work orders automatically, reducing manual coordination effort by fifty percent.
Real-Time Gate Optimization
Analyzes terminal congestion to schedule appointments during optimal windows, increasing driver asset utilization by sixty percent.
Invoice Audit & Reconciliation
Validates drayage invoices against contracted rates and GPS data to identify and dispute unauthorized accessorial charges instantly.
Who It's For
Freight Forwarders
Deploy the worker to automate the coordination of hundreds of weekly drayage moves. The agent ensures containers are pulled before demurrage hits, protecting margins and providing real-time visibility to clients without manual 'check calls'.
Retail Importers
Use the agent to synchronize port pickups with distribution center receiving windows. The **Drayage Dispatcher** prevents yard congestion at the warehouse and prioritizes "hot" containers for immediate shelf replenishment.
Drayage Carriers
Implement the worker to optimize fleet dispatching. The agent automates appointment booking and reduces driver idle time at ports, allowing carriers to complete more turns per day and increase revenue per truck.
Value Outcomes
D&D Cost Reduction
90% D&D savings
Eliminate punitive storage fees through predictive scheduling. AI-driven prioritization reduces demurrage and detention costs by up to **90%**.
Asset Utilization Boost
60% higher utilization
Maximize the productivity of trucks and chassis. Optimized appointment scheduling and reduced wait times increase asset utilization by **60%**.
Operational Efficiency
50% less manual work
Slash the administrative burden of dispatching. Automating communication and work order issuance reduces manual outreach effort by **50%**.
Driver Wait Time Reduction
Reduced idle time
Minimize unproductive idling at terminals. Smart scheduling avoids peak congestion, significantly reducing the **2+ hour wait times** faced by 72% of drivers.
Strategic Value for Decision Makers
For the CFO
**Cash Preservation & Cost Control.** The Drayage Dispatcher attacks the $15.4 billion problem of demurrage fees. By predicting and preventing these charges, we directly recover margin. Furthermore, automated invoice auditing ensures we never pay for unverified accessorials, tightening our AP process.
For the COO
**Throughput & Reliability.** This agent transforms our 'last mile' from a bottleneck into a pipeline. By optimizing driver turns and synchronizing port pickups with warehouse receiving, we increase overall network velocity and ensure our goods are available for sale faster.
For the Owner
**Scalability & Service.** We can scale our import volumes without hiring an army of dispatchers. This technology gives us a 'digital control tower' that impresses clients with real-time transparency, positioning us as a tech-forward leader in a manual industry.
Why Export Arena
Drayage Dispatcher is not a standalone tool - it's part of Export Arena's AI & Automation Department as a Service. Pre-trained on global trade nuances, from HS codes to geopolitical risk, it delivers strategic insights tailored to C-suite decision-making. We provide resilience as a service.
See how Drayage Dispatcher works for your business
