What is Transloading?
Transloading is the process of transferring cargo, freight, or containers from one method of transportation (airplane) to another (railcar). Transloading is recommended when one mode of transportation will not suffice for the entire duration of the shipment. It is most commonly used when shipping internationally, and across different types of geographical challenges. Transloading should not be mistaken for transshipment. Transshipment is the process of transporting shipment from one intermediate location to another with only one mode of transportation.
Paired with our transloading facilities, Gulf Winds has the capabalities to reduce risk and handle your shipment efficiently. Transloading can be extremely beneficial and cost effective when planned correctly. Gulf Winds provides an exceptional transloading service that will help you save time and money.
Transloading Facilities
Gulf Winds' operates strategically located transload facilities at The Port of Houston's Barbours Cut and Bayport Container terminals as well as the BNSF intermodal ramp. For importers, Gulf Winds will pick up the container at the port or rail, deliver it to a Gulf Winds warehouse, unload the container, and load the cargo onto an over-the-road truck or railcar for domestic transport. Cargo to be exported is unloaded from the over-the-road truck or railcar, loaded into an ocean container at a Gulf Winds facility and delivered to the rail or port terminal for shipping.
Transload Facility Locations
Benefits to Transloading Services
- Save up to 30% on inland transportation costs by transloading ocean containers into over-the-road trucks when delivering over 250 miles from origin.
- Save up to 20% on ocean freight costs by maximizing cargo weight through the transload process.
- Eliminate the risk associated with moving heavy cargo locally or over the road by transloading at the port/rail and shipping legal loads to final destination.
- Protect the cargo and minimize damage by using air-ride trailers instead of steamship containers.
- Inspect cargo for damage or irregularities prior to delivery to customers.
Overweight Program. Save up to 20% on shipping costs by loading containers overweight. Gulf Winds is able to legally transport overweight containers to or from Barbours Cut, Bayport and BNSF – Pearland allowing us to maximize cargo weight on import and export containers reducing the number of containers shipped per year by up to 20% (cost management).
Check out our Cargo Weight Guide on Understanding Overweight in Texas. This page describes Texas weight laws and gives you a visual cargo weight guide for loading and hauling in Texas.
Permits and Certifications
- State of Texas Permitted and Bonded to Haul Overweight Containers
- Permitted by Harris County to Haul Overweight Containers (no weight restrictions) over Barbours Cut Blvd. and Port Road