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Move your cargo quickly from port to shelf with transload services

Seamlessly integrate sea freight with landside execution, including drayage, transload and intermodal freight.

Accelerated cargo transitions that transform your supply chain, minimising costly demurrage and bottlenecks.

Transloading is the essential bridge between ocean freight and inland distribution, ensuring your cargo moves seamlessly from port to shelf. Whether you’re navigating seasonal demand spikes, mitigating port congestion, or revising your logistics strategy, our transload services help optimise flow and reduce delays. With these integrated services, you gain speed, reliability and full control.

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Transition quickly from port to shelf

Avoid costly terminal delays. Enjoy quick cargo movement from vessel to inland transport, minimising dwell time and reducing demurrage and detention charges. With proactive scheduling and asset-backed drayage, you can stay ahead of port congestion and appointment bottlenecks.

Unlike traditional carrier haulage services, IMC manages its assets and employs drivers. With 52+ depots, a fleet of chassis and 2,500+ dedicated drivers capable of handling varying volumes, IMC ensures reliable and timely delivery even during peak times. By controlling our drivers and assets, we guarantee consistent, on-time delivery across the U.S., reducing delays and per diem charges.

Say goodbye to fragmented handoffs. Transloading bridges ocean freight with inland transport through a single, coordinated process. With transloading, you gain reliability, reduced handling risk, and optimised FCL-to-53’ trailer conversions.

Track every milestone with confidence. Through myKN, you get real-time visibility into your cargo’s journey, from terminal arrival to final delivery. This powerful digital tool provides proactive alerts, performance dashboards, and integration with your TMS, giving you control over speed, cost, and sustainability targets.

Benefit from multiple transloading service options

Choose the best method to manage your international inbound containers at port.

DC bypass

Containers are broken down at the port and sent as individual shipments to their destination.

Postponement distribution

Containers are booked to the port. While the goods are in transit, an allocation is provided. The goods are then broken down from the inbound and delivered by allocation.

Swing loads

Containers are broken down and “swung” into domestic truckloads to the destination. This method reduces inland costs, bringing great cost savings.

Sort loads

Containers are broken down at port and loaded into multiple outbound truckloads with multiple destinations

Additional services

Port of Entry (POE) Palletization Domestic consolidation

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Frequently asked questions

Transload involves shifting cargo from ocean containers to domestic trailers, often at near-port facilities. Cross-dock typically refers to direct transfer without storage.

Kuehne+Nagel Transload provides and manages port drayage to ensure yard coordination and labor efficiency.

Typically, 3 containers consolidate into 2 x 53’ trailers. This reduces inland moves and cost 

Long-term pricing is customised per customer. Spot pricing is available but may carry higher costs due to operational setup.

  1. Vessel arrives at the port 

  2. Drayage to the transload facility  

  3. Transloading begins, shifting cargo between modes 

  4. Cargo is repacked and consolidated, ready for shipment 

  5. Long-haul transport via truck or rail 

  6. Final delivery to distribution centre or store 

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