Serving the Port of Baltimore: Intermodal Trailers & Container Chassis

Baltimore’s port bounced back in a big way in 2024, moving 45.9 million tons of cargo and posting its second-best year on record. 

The year began with the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, which shut down the main shipping channel. Thanks to recovery efforts, the channel fully reopened by June 10, 2024. Despite the disruption, the port surged in the latter half of the year—handling 25.5 million tons during that period—and logged a total cargo value of $62.2 billion. Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s office highlighted this milestone as a testament to the port’s resilience, emphasizing that this volume ranked second only to 2023’s record of 52.3 million tons and was the third-highest cargo value in port history.

For fleet managers, the rebound created immediate challenges at the gates. Higher cargo volumes increased the need for reliable chassis, genset-equipped intermodal trailers, and tighter operational planning to keep containers moving efficiently.

Baltimore’s Cargo Rebound and Demand for Intermodal Equipment

The 2024 numbers tell a clear story. Cargo volumes reached 45.9 million tons, just behind 2023’s record-setting 52.3 million tons. More than 25.5 million of those tons moved during the last six months of the year, illustrating a powerful recovery once the channel reopened.

In practice, higher volumes change the daily playbook for port drayage:

• Turn times matter more: Every extra minute at the gate expands queues and cuts into driver hours. A single delay can ripple through the shift.
• Chassis availability is critical: If drivers arrive without a ready chassis, they lose time hunting for equipment or waiting for an exchange.
• Reefer moves need power: Refrigerated containers must stay cold from terminal to receiver. That means planning for clip-on or undermount gensets on chassis, or arranging alternate power where appropriate.
• Peaks are sharper: Vessel bunching and schedule shifts compress demand into short windows. Surge capacity, not just baseline capacity, decides whether you keep up.

Reliable chassis and genset-equipped intermodal trailers are no longer “nice to have.” They are the foundation for efficient drayage in a high-throughput port environment.

Practical ways to reduce container dwell time at the port

Use the list below as a quick checklist for your dispatch team. These steps shorten time at the gate, improve driver experience, and help you move more containers per shift.

1. Pre-stage chassis close to the gates: Position empty chassis where your drivers start their day. If you expect a spike, stage extras 12 to 24 hours ahead.
2. Run drop-and-hook wherever possible: Drivers should arrive, drop, hook, and roll. Avoid on-the-spot swaps that depend on yard space or a specific unit returning at the same moment.
3. Book surge capacity, not just baseline: Keep a small buffer of rental chassis and trailers that you can activate quickly. Short daily or weekly rentals help you ride out vessel bunching without overcommitting capital.
4. Lock in reefers with power: For refrigerated containers, plan for genset support. Confirm run time, fuel policy, and backup units before the pickup date.
5. Standardize pre-trip inspections at your yard: catching issues upstream prevents gate rejections and costly turnbacks.
6. Keep paperwork clean and in one place: Appointment numbers, release codes, and seal details should be ready in the driver’s app or packet.
7. Watch gate data and pivot in real time: When a terminal slows down, move drivers to a different window, switch pickups and drops, or push a later run to your surge fleet.
8. Create simple driver playbooks: One-page guides for each terminal with lane maps, hours, and common hang-ups can cut first-time errors.
9. Schedule returns with the same discipline as pickups: Returns often clog yards late in the day. Block time for returns and have a plan for after-hours drop locations to avoid next-day pileups.

Taken together, these steps can cut hours from the cycle, reduce stress for drivers, and improve asset utilization.

What to check before you rent a chassis or intermodal trailer

Build this into your pickup routine. It prevents gate issues and keeps the day on track.

• Match the unit to the box: Confirm container size and weight, then pick the right chassis length and rating. Check that twistlocks align for 20, 40, or 53, and that the slider and pins operate correctly if you need axle repositioning.
• Look over tires, wheels, and lights: Inspect tread, sidewalls, and inflation. Confirm brake lights, markers, and ABS indicators are working and reflective tape is intact.
• Air and brakes: Verify gladhand seals, listen for leaks, and confirm air builds and holds. Make sure spring brakes release and service brakes apply smoothly.
• Pins, locks, and hardware: Check twistlocks, kingpin wear, landing gear, and crank handle. Do a tug test to confirm the pin seats fully.
• Paperwork and tags: Ensure registration, inspection, and any terminal-specific documents are current and accessible in the cab or driver app.
• Power for reefers: If refrigerated containers are in the mix, confirm genset availability, start-up, alarm checks, and fuel status before entering the terminal.
• Know the swap policy: Understand how to handle a unit that fails inspection at the gate and where to exchange it.
• Emergency contacts: Save rental, roadside support, and terminal phone numbers in dispatch notes so drivers can get help fast.

These checks ensure you’re ready to handle increased port volumes without downtime.

Hale Trailer: A Local Partner for Baltimore Fleets

Meeting the demands of a high-volume port requires reliable local support, and Hale Trailer delivers exactly that. Our Baltimore location, conveniently situated off the I-95 corridor, serves as a hub for trailer rentals, sales, parts, and service. Whether you need dry vans, reefers, flatbeds, moving floors, or container chassis, Hale Trailer maintains a wide selection to cover diverse fleet needs.

For fleet managers, having equipment nearby means faster staging and deployment. Rental options range from single-day to multi-week terms, giving you flexibility during peak periods without long-term commitments. Our team also provides maintenance, inspections, and repairs on site, ensuring all units meet DOT and port regulations and remain road-ready.

With a location tailored for port operations and a team familiar with Baltimore’s needs, Hale Trailer is a dependable local partner for securing intermodal trailers and chassis when fleets need them most.

Keeping Baltimore’s drayage cycle efficient

Baltimore’s 2024 rebound highlighted both the port’s strength and the increased pressure on drayage operations. Higher volumes mean faster cycles, fewer delays, and no room for inefficiency. Chassis and genset-equipped intermodal trailers are essential to keep freight moving.

Reducing dwell time requires planning, staging equipment early, maintaining surge capacity, and keeping processes and paperwork organized so drivers turn faster. Fleet managers who prepare now will be in the best position to match growing demand.

Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel is a dependable local source for intermodal trailer rentals in Baltimore, including chassis and genset-equipped units to help fleets keep pace when volumes rise.