Facing port congestion, chassis shortages, or tracking headaches in your supply chain? You’re not alone — these are some of the top drayage challenges shippers navigate every day.
As we approach 2026, Heavy Weight Transport is here to address your key concerns to stay one step ahead of these hurdles.
Whether you’re looking to streamline scheduling, boost visibility, or control demurrage costs, this is the exclusive insight you need to make your drayage experience more efficient and worry-free throughout the year ahead.
âť“ How do you handle port congestion and service reliability when it comes to scheduling?
The recent Shipper Pulse Report from denim shows that the majority of shippers identified service reliability and consistency as their top priority when choosing freight partners — far above price.
At Heavy Weight, dependable service is our priority. We’re known for agility during disruptions by quickly stepping in to assist when unforeseen events occur, such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. We reestablished container access and delivery options in the Port of Baltimore by taking rapid action to relieve congestion and keep freight moving.
Heavy Weight’s proactive communication and large equipment base allow us to reposition equipment and support both existing and new customers in emergencies. Our culture of direct, immediate communication with customers and a committed team that goes above and beyond in solving problems, including port delays or operational impacts from weather or other external factors, is why clients rely on us.
âť“ What technology do you use for shipment visibility and tracking?
Heavy Weight uses a proprietary, in-house-built iTMS system with a customer web portal for live shipment data, including critical dates and load statuses. We also offer a mobile app for drivers, enabling instant electronic POD notification and system integrations via API or EDI to connect with shippers’ platforms. All company assets are equipped with GPS tracking and AI-enabled multi-camera safety systems.
“We have a strategic focus on technology. Our team integrates best practices for tracking and utilizes systems designed for heavy commodity shipments, and prioritizes technology that supports customer visibility and seamless information flow.”
– Ralph Ippolito, President, Heavy Weight Transport
âť“ How do you manage chassis access, detention, and demurrage risk?
Heavy Weight owns nearly 1,000 specialized chassis nationwide, with a history of investing in tri-axle and four-axle equipment ahead of regulatory trends. Our large chassis pool, especially for heavy loads, ensures consistent availability and flexibility, which is crucial during periods of high demand or terminal chassis shortages.
âť“ What capacity and driver resources are available during seasonal surges?
With a scalable driver base that combines company drivers and owner-operators, Heavy Weight’s resources are tailored to our clients’ needs. Nationally, Heavy Weight employs close to 200 drivers, with capacity growing as business expands, according to Terminal Manager, Michael Leffew.
“Our growing driver team is supported by a positive safety culture and comprehensive hiring and training to maintain readiness for peak periods,” explained Leffew. “Heavy Weight balances driver loads between regional terminals, ensuring resources are available where demand spikes.”
âť“ Do you offer warehouse or transloading options for end-to-end service?
Heavy Weight operates five bonded warehouses, including dedicated facilities in Edison, NJ, with direct rail siding for efficient boxcar unloading. We provide transloading near the ports—consolidating, palletizing, and transferring freight to over-the-road equipment for nationwide distribution, offering a true end-to-end service solution.
“Our three specialized warehouses in Los Angeles, situated inside the Overweight Container Corridor, are uniquely tailored to handling stone and tile products with industry-leading knowledge, bonded warehouse capabilities, and a seamless supply chain from ports to delivery. This full-service approach extends to partnering strategically for final delivery beyond warehouses.”
– Ralph Ippolito, President, Heavy Weight Transport
âť“ How experienced are you with my cargo type and local regulations?
Heavy Weight is an established heavy commodity container drayage provider of wines and spirits, tile and granite, and other dense products. We operate with legally specialized permits and chassis to provide extensive regulatory expertise with overweight moves, ensuring that all operations are fully compliant and safe.
Our deep knowledge of the drayage industry’s challenges, including material handling, pest inspection by agriculture, and customs compliance, is supported by being FDA registered to meet local organic processing standards for relevant cargo types.
âť“ What sustainability or emissions strategies do you employ?
Heavy Weight actively monitors regulatory shifts, such as California’s current emissions mandates for heavy commodity shipping trucks, including aggressive steps toward zero emissions under California Air Resources Board (CARB) rules.
Our sustainability efforts include eco-friendly fleet investments (electric and alternative fuel trucks), idle-reduction policies, driver training for fuel efficiency, and the use of optimized routing and intermodal methods to minimize emissions — especially leveraging rail and short-haul drayage.
Ready to Secure Reliable Shipping?
The best-positioned shippers are those who overcome daily challenges by acting now to secure reliable, long-term partners. Heavy Weight is ready to help you minimize risks, reduce costs, and keep your heavy freight moving.
Contact the Heavy Weight team to gain peace of mind for the freight capacity you need — today and tomorrow.
