Hidden Costs of Container Delays: 4 Ways They Hurt Your Bottom Line (and How to Fix Them)

For importers, the wait between port and warehouse can be the most expensive stretch of the journey—especially in the Pacific Northwest. When containers sit idle—even for just a day—hidden costs begin to accumulate. From demurrage and per diem charges to lost time coordinating multiple vendors, these inefficiencies don’t just delay delivery—they drain profits.

At Terminal Transfer, we keep freight moving with integrated drayage + transloading services, giving shippers in Portland and beyond the advantage of faster turnaround and fewer delays.

Here’s how container delays cost more than you think—and what you can do about it.

1. Demurrage Fees: The Daily Dock Drain

When containers sit at the terminal past free time, you’re charged daily demurrage—usually starting at $150/day and climbing fast. Many delays happen because drayage providers aren't aligned with transload schedules.

Terminal Transfer’s integrated drayage + transload service eliminates this gap. Containers move directly from port to our facility—often within hours.

2. Per Diem Charges: The Clock Keeps Ticking

Once a container leaves the terminal, the steamship line clock starts ticking. If it’s not returned quickly, you get hit with per diem charges for each day late.

Our on-site container stripping means faster unloads, quicker chassis returns, and zero hand-off lag. You keep your freight—and your budget—moving.

3. Multiple Vendors = Fragmented Schedules

Drayage from one provider. Transloading with another. Coordination between the two? That’s on you—and when something slips, so do your delivery windows.

We consolidate everything into one point of contact, under one roof. That means no missed messages, no redundant charges, no finger-pointing. Just accountability.

4. Missed Appointments and Warehouse Disruption

When containers don’t arrive on time, downstream operations suffer. Labor is misallocated, appointments missed, and warehouse schedules blown.

Terminal Transfer’s real-time tracking and scheduling ensures freight arrives on time, ready to unload—avoiding unnecessary warehouse chaos.

Why Terminal Transfer?

• Strategically located just outside Portland, offering fast access to the region’s terminals.

• Full-service facility with drayage, transload, and short-term storage on site.

• Deep understanding of PNW port schedules and cutoffs.

• Trusted by major shippers for high-volume and time-sensitive cargo.

Cut the Costs, Not the Corners

The hidden costs of container delays add up quickly. With Terminal Transfer’s integrated drayage and transloading solution, you get a more straightforward, faster, and more affordable path from port to final mile.

Reach out to your Terminal Transfer team member today to get a quote and keep your freight moving forward.