Port terminals are built to move containers, not to store them — and their pricing proves it. Once free time runs out, daily demurrage at the terminal is often several times the cost of parking the same container a few miles away. That’s the case for off-dock storage: pulling containers to a nearby secured yard where the daily rate is predictable and the container is available whenever you want it.
What off-dock storage is
Off-dock (or off-terminal) storage means holding containers at a private yard outside the port gate. The container is pulled by a drayage truck before its Last Free Day, then grounded or kept on a chassis at the yard until your warehouse, job site, or vessel is ready. Go Drayage operates a five-acre yard at 3300 NW 110th St. in Miami with capacity for more than 450 containers and trailers, 24/7 secured access, and forklifts up to 40,000 lbs for transloading and devanning on site.
Five situations where off-dock storage saves money
1. Your warehouse can’t receive yet
Receiving docks book out days in advance, especially in peak season. Rather than letting a container sit at the terminal accruing demurrage, a pre-pull to the yard stops the port clock for a flat daily rate.
2. Multiple containers arrive at once
When eight boxes discharge from the same vessel, few warehouses can strip them all in the free period. Staging them at a yard and delivering one or two per day matches the flow to your labor.
3. Empty returns are restricted
Terminals regularly restrict which empties they’ll accept and when. A yard gives empties a legal place to wait, protecting you from per diem while your carrier watches for return openings.
4. Project cargo on a schedule
Construction and infrastructure projects need materials delivered in sequence, not when the vessel happens to arrive. Yard staging turns ocean-schedule chaos into just-in-time delivery.
5. Seasonal inventory buffers
Retail and beverage importers routinely build inventory ahead of Q4. Container yard storage costs far less than expanding warehouse space you’ll only need for eight weeks.
What it typically costs
In South Florida, expect a per-container daily storage rate that undercuts terminal demurrage substantially — commonly the difference between roughly $30–$60 per day at a yard versus $150–$400 per day once terminal demurrage escalates. Add the round-trip dray, and off-dock storage usually pays for itself within two to three days of avoided demurrage. Get exact numbers with our drayage calculator.
What to look for in a storage yard
- Proximity to the port — shorter drays mean cheaper pre-pulls and faster re-deliveries.
- Security — fencing, cameras, controlled gates, and 24/7 monitoring; cargo theft targets unsecured lots.
- Equipment on site — forklifts and transload capability so cargo can be stripped without another move.
- Visibility — real-time inventory and shipment tracking so you always know where each box is.
- Bonded capability — if any of your cargo moves in bond, the yard and carrier must be customs-licensed.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can a container be re-delivered from the yard?
Same-day or next-day in most cases, since the container is already off the port and on our property. That’s the core advantage: your freight is minutes from delivery instead of behind a terminal appointment queue.
Can loaded and empty containers both be stored?
Yes. Loaded imports waiting for warehouse space, staged exports waiting for vessel cutoffs, and empties waiting for return openings are all routine.
Is my cargo insured while in yard storage?
Reputable yards carry facility liability coverage and can outline how it interacts with your cargo policy. Ask for certificates during onboarding — and confirm the yard is fenced, lit, and monitored around the clock, as ours is.
Need a buffer between the port and your warehouse? Learn more about our yard storage or call (786) 445-0150 for availability.