What Is A Chassis Split
What Is A Chassis Split In the realm of container pickup and delivery arrangements, complexities often extend beyond the surface. Trucking companies might levy additional charges on shippers or consignees for various supplementary activities. One such activity is the enigmatic chassis split. Within this article, we embark on a comprehensive exploration of chassis splits, encompassing their implications, fees, impact on shipping timelines, and strategies for mitigation.
Unraveling the Chassis Split Mystery
Nestled within the landscape of container logistics, the concept of a chassis split emerges. Imagine a scenario where the location of container pickup or drop-off deviates from the chassis or trailer’s position. This necessitates a separate journey by the truck to fetch or return the chassis. The phenomenon of a chassis split is about to be demystified.
Varieties of Chassis Split
Chassis splits manifest in distinctive forms, contingent on their occurrence points. We delve into the differentiation between a chassis split during empty container pickup and one during the return of an empty container.
Chassis Split Pick-Up
A Chassis Split Pick-Up transpires when the truck embarks on an additional trip to procure a chassis/trailer from a distinct location before collecting the shipping container. This scenario typically arises when a trucking company is entrusted with retrieving a laden container from the port, a situation where the port or carrier does not furnish a chassis. In response, the trucker undertakes a separate voyage to collect the container chassis and subsequently enters the port premises.
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Chassis Split Return
Conversely, the Chassis Split Return unfolds when a trucker delivers a container to one destination and subsequently transports the container chassis to an alternative site. This unfolds when the trucking company is assigned the task of returning an empty container to a carrier’s depot, thereby necessitating a distinct trip to relocate the chassis to a trailer yard at a different locale.
Deciphering the Chassis Split Fee
At the heart of the matter lies the concept of the chassis split fee. This fee is instituted when the trucker undertakes a trailer split, picking up or delivering a trailer to a location that diverges from the container’s site. The fee seeks to offset the supplemental costs incurred by the trucking company, encompassing labor and fuel expenses for the additional journey. The average range for chassis split fees is $50.00 to $100.00 per split.
It’s noteworthy that the chassis split fee can either integrate into origin or destination charges based on the requisites of the situation.
Dual Types of Split Fees and Their Influence on Shipments
Intriguingly, instances arise where a trucker must both retrieve a chassis from a separate site before collecting a laden container from the port and return the chassis to a different location upon delivering an empty container to the carrier’s depot. In such scenarios, both pickup and return splits are subject to separate charges.
Undoubtedly, chassis splits possess the potential to impede shipments, particularly within constrained timelines. To facilitate container pick-up and delivery, a prime mover and chassis are imperative. The proximity of the chassis or its demand can prove pivotal. Lengthy distances to chassis or equipment scarcity can disrupt export loading cutoff times or container yard cut-off times, consequently postponing shipments to the subsequent available sailing. The final delivery of containers may also experience delays due to distant chassis retrieval, sometimes accompanied by port storage or container demurrage charges.
Strategies to Avert Chassis Split Fees
Preventive measures can attenuate or circumvent chassis split fees. Adequate planning involving all stakeholders is instrumental in executing these strategies effectively. Let’s explore viable solutions:
- Utilize Internal Fleet & Trailers: If space permits, deploying an internal fleet with trailers offers control over chassis locations.
- Engage Truckers with Chassis: Collaborating with truckers who possess their own chassis eliminates the need for retrieving a trailer from an alternate site before container pick-up or delivery.
- Explore Carrier Haulage: Consult carriers that facilitate carriage arrangements, exempting truckers from chassis split fees. Carrier haulage, distinct from merchant haulage, entrusts the carrier with container movement arrangement, potentially avoiding chassis split fees.
- Employ Customized Chassis: Leveraging specialized chassis designed for both 20′ and 40′ containers can enhance the efficiency of the existing chassis pool.
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Negotiating Chassis Split Fees
As these fees are contingent on agreements between truckers and shippers/consignees, negotiation is plausible. Prior to engaging a trucking company, deliberating and negotiating fee structures is advisable. Volumes, frequencies, and locations serve as pivotal parameters for rate discussions. While not all trucking entities may be receptive to negotiation, pursuing this avenue remains a viable option.
In essence, comprehending chassis splits empowers stakeholders within the shipping ecosystem. By navigating these intricacies effectively, you not only streamline operations but also ensure efficient container movements while optimizing cost considerations.