What is Blocking and Bracing for Intermodal Drayage?

Intermodal drayage is an efficient way to move freight by utilizing the advantages of multiple modes of transportation. 

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However, the freight is handled quite a bit, which increases the risk of damages. Sliding and bumping around in the trailer doesn’t help either. 

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That’s why blocking and bracing services are crucial. But what does this entail?

Blocking and Bracing Services

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Blocking and bracing is a logistics service meant to protect goods from obtaining damages during transit, especially when being transported over the road in a truck. 

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There are various loading methods and packaging materials utilized to ensure plenty of cushioning and proper organization. 

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• Blocking: This prevents the freight from moving from side to side and front to back.
• Bracing: This prevents freight from moving up and down.

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We’ll explore what methods and materials are used for this in the next section.

Best Blocking and Bracing Methods and Materials

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Blocking and bracing mobilizes freight so it doesn’t move around too much inside a trailer during the delivery. Here are some of the most popular methods to achieve this.

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• End gates
• Bull boards
• Air bags
• Ty-Gard
• Honeycomb filler
• E-Track Gate
• Stretch wrap
• 2x4 with 16d Nails

The Rules of Blocking and Bracing

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The first and arguably most important part of blocking and bracing is formulating a sound  loading plan. This takes time and careful planning. Here are a few requirements to keep in mind when developing your own plan.

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Newton’s First Law: Remember, if an object is resting then it stays at rest. However, if it is in motion then it stays in motion unless an outside force interferes. Never think that a heavy object won’t move and doesn’t need to be blocked and braced. This could be dangerous!

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Knowing how much blocking & bracing is needed: The general rule of thumb is, the heavier the object the more blocking and bracing methods should be implemented.

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