I pulled containers for a while, the port does not control the trucks. They are controlled by trucking companies that do business with the shipping lines. My daughter works for Mearsk Line as an intermodal dispatcher and deals with the trucking companies to move the containers from the port to the shipper or consignee.
Best way to find out who is moving the containers is to read the names off the side of the trucks. Then give them a call.
The ports are usually owned and operated by the state, EI: Georgia Port Authority, South Carolina State Port Authority. Learning how to get in and out of the ports is a job in itself. Most of the time you will work out of a single port but may have to go into a strange port at times.
Your best bet may be to run your truck local, checking containers in and out of the port. Most ports have a drop yard outside the gate so that your entire day may consist of pulling out empty containers to the drop yard.
This is done so that the line drivers can come after the port is closed and get the containers they need to run out for a load. The same can be true of pulling out loaded containers to the drop yard but in most cases those will need to be pulled to the truck terminal after the port is closed and so you work all day and then half the night moving containers, been there done that. If you're lucky the line drivers will be picking their loads off the drop yard before you have to move them to the terminal. Most of the drop yards are deplorable, unpaved, with hugh potholes, and muddy.
Running in the ports is also hard on the tires and you will tend to pick up a lot of pieces of steel in them. Flats are the norm.
Most O/O's try to stay out of the ports and pick their containers from the terminals but that pays less than going to the port. The trick is to arrive back in town AFTER the port closes and let the local driver take it in the morning.
The equipment is a hell of a lot better now than back in the '70's but still could be better.
Good Luck,
Mad Fatboy
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