Do you need an ocean container picked up or delivered? Just call a freight company and get it done right? Not quite. Hauling containers is a highly specialized business and every container handled by Jetco requires a high level of individual attention.

“We pride ourselves on a personal interaction with our customers,” said Rebecca Roberts. “That’s because we truly do believe that when we book a job, we own it. It’s as important to us that it reaches its destination as it is to you.”

To ensure excellent service, here are the steps we take to make the intermodal delivery process run smoothly:

• Ensure the container has been unloaded, cleared customs and is ready for pickup. It is essential for all holds to be released before the container is ready for pickup.
• Understand the contents of the container. Heavy containers may need a tri-axle chassis. Out of gauge open top and flat racks may require permits. Hazmat loads have special paperwork requirements.
• Ensure the driver has all of the qualifications necessary to handle the load. This may include hazmat certification. All drivers are required to have TWIC cards to enter any port property.

However, even when we do all of our homework, things can go wrong. Here are the most common problems we encounter handling containers:

• Equipment Availability: The steamship line may have provided you with a valid booking number. However, they might not have any containers available.
• Bad Chassis: Many containers are hauled from chassis pools. Because we have no control over the maintenance of these units, we have made a decision to reduce our use of pool chassis. At the same time, we are adding to our fleet of company-owned chassis. This will allow us to have better access to chassis that are always under our control.
• Delays: You can lose a truck for an entire day at the port. Computer problems ... long lines ... security times. They can all make for a difficult day at the port.
• Incorrect In-Gate Information: Our trucks can arrive at the port only to be turned away with your cargo. In-gate dates have been unreliable due to vessel delays and over-booking. We strongly advise our customers to frequently monitor ship schedules, in-gate availability , cut offs and last free days. This information can change by the minute.

When it comes to intermodal container hauling, experience counts. You can rely on Jetco’s professional team to get it right each time.

“And that really all starts with our focus on the customer from the very beginning,” Roberts said. “We provide a total customer service experience with every intermodal delivery process.”

• Include the "Last Free Day" with your delivery order.
• Provide the name of the Steamship Line.
• Provide a copy of the Bill of Lading.
• Ensure the Booking Number is correct.
• All Hazmat loads must have IMO on file with steamship line and port.
• Ensure the booking contains the correct container size.

The rules for when a delivery requires a tri-axle chassis are pretty clear, according to Jetco Delivery’s Russell Mattern.

Whenever a 20’ container exceeds 38,000 pounds, regulations require the use of a tri-axle chassis, Mattern says.

Jetco Delivery is well equipped to handle these heavier container loads because recently added several state-of-the-art tri-axle chassis (pictured at right) to its fleet for just these types of projects.