Revolutionizing Drayage with DetentionIQ: Turning Port Delays into Profit

The Chaos of Detention in Drayage Operations

Imagine a drayage driver pulling up to a bustling port like Los Angeles or Savannah, container in tow, only to face endless queues from chassis shortages, customs holdups, or terminal inefficiencies. In drayage—the critical link moving freight from ports and rail yards to inland warehouses—these "detention times" (delays beyond the typical 1-2 hour free window) are rampant, costing operators thousands in lost productivity, driver pay, and fuel. With razor-thin margins and escalating demurrage fees from ocean carriers, drayage firms struggle to document claims manually, often forfeiting revenue amid disputes and lacking data to avoid repeat bottlenecks.

Historically, detention tracking in drayage has been chaotic: drivers log times on paper, back offices chase elusive proofs, and insights into port patterns? Nonexistent, leaving operations reactive rather than strategic.

Enter DetentionIQ: A Smart Platform for Drayage

DetentionIQ is a smart platform tailored for drayage, automating detention management to convert port pains into recovered revenue and optimized flows. By integrating seamlessly with telematics like Samsara, DetentionIQ detects geofence events at terminals, auto-triggering timers for entry and exit without any driver input. This is crucial for high-volume, time-sensitive container moves.

Seamless Detention Capture

**Port-Integrated Tracking**: Syncs with your existing telematics to monitor arrivals and departures automatically.
**Demurrage-Proof Evidence**: Generates real-time records with GPS timestamps, chassis details, and event logs to fortify claims against shippers, receivers, or ocean lines.
**Fast Billing Automation**: Produces instant billing packets, speeding up collections and reclaiming fees from chronic delays—potentially adding $20,000+ monthly for mid-sized fleets.

Dwell Time Analytics for Port Efficiency

Beyond revenue recovery, DetentionIQ provides powerful analytics:

**Terminal Performance Insights**: Monitors total dwell times across ports, identifying high-risk gates or yards prone to congestion.
**Strategic Optimization**: Use data to reroute hauls, negotiate better access with terminals, or prioritize low-detention clients—reducing average waits by 20% and boosting daily turns.
**Driver and Fleet Boost**: Cuts unnecessary idling, enhancing driver retention in a shortage-hit sector and improving chassis utilization for greener, more profitable operations.

Real-World Success: A Case Study

Take the story of a Southeast drayage firm that implemented DetentionIQ. In Q1 2025, they reclaimed $40,000 in detention fees by automating claims at Savannah Port. The platform's analytics helped them blacklist inefficient terminals, slashing dwell times by 18% and increasing container throughput. This not only improved their bottom line but also enhanced overall operational resilience.

The Bigger Impact: Elevating Drayage in a Congested World

DetentionIQ isn't just a fix—it's a drayage game-changer. By automating revenue recovery amid port surges and providing actionable insights on dwell patterns, it empowers operators to build resilient networks, negotiate stronger terms with ocean carriers, and thrive in volatile trade environments.

In drayage, where every delay ripples through global supply chains, DetentionIQ delivers the precision needed to succeed. It's about more than fees; it's forging efficient, data-powered operations that benefit drivers, ports, and customers.

Ready to transform your drayage operations? [Request a Demo](/contact) today and start turning port waits into competitive wins.

_Published on September 23, 2025_