Shunting Keeps
Your Yard Moving

What is Shunting?

Shunting, also referred to as jockeying, spotting, or switching, is the controlled movement of trailers within distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities.

These short-distance moves are essential to maintaining flow, ensuring trailers arrive at the right place at the right time. At NSSL, shunting is a critical component of yard operations but it’s only one part of a broader yard management approach.

While we deliver reliable stand-alone yard spotting services, our greatest impact comes from pairing disciplined execution with experienced logistics professionals, real-time visibility technology, and operational support that extends beyond the yard. The result is a more controlled, efficient operation that supports the entire supply chain.

What Makes NSSL Different?

Shunting is much more than just moving trailers. Shunting is a data-driven operation that presents endless opportunities for continued improvement.

NSSL’s shunting services combine real-time coordination through Shuntware®, intelligent dispatching, a modern and reliable fleet, and disciplined execution to keep trailers moving efficiently. Without this systematic approach, yards become bottlenecks; trailers sit in wrong locations, drivers wait for equipment, docks stay idle while freight sits in the wrong spot.

$3.5 Million Saved

Over the past two and a half decades, NSSL’s take-ownership approach to shunting has saved our clients $3.5 Million on equipment alone.

Can Shunting Management be Automated?

Yes, but automation alone doesn’t solve shunting challenges. Technology without disciplined execution creates new problems.

NSSL’s Shuntware® platform provides real-time tracking, task management, and visibility across all trailer movements. The system prioritizes moves, tracks locations, and provides data that proves performance. But the platform works because it’s backed by trained crews executing coordinated moves on the ground.

Professional shunting creates predictable yard flow. Docks receive freight on schedule. Carriers spend less time waiting. Operations teams gain visibility and control over trailer movements. NSSL’s shunting services even integrate with gatehouse operations and Shuntware tracking to create one accountable system—not separate contractors managing separate pieces of the operation.

How Can More Efficient Shunting Help Your Business?

Poor coordination drives up costs. Dock congestion slows throughput. Lack of accountability results in lost trailers and wasted labor hours. Amateur or ad-hoc trailer movements compound these problems with equipment damage and safety risks.

Professional shunting services eliminate these problems through:

Measurable outcomes:

Faster dock throughput with reduced wait times for trailer positioning
Lower detention fees from coordinated carrier movements
Reduced labor costs from eliminating trailer searches and wasted moves
Improved equipment uptime and reduced breakdown delays

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How Can I Eliminate Shunting Headaches?

Shunting headaches stem from fragmented operations that are managed in pieces instead of one accountable partner controlling the whole system. Lost trailers, miscommunication between warehouse and yard, delayed moves, and finger-pointing when things go wrong.

NSSL eliminates these headaches through one accountable system. Real-time coordination connects warehouse operations with yard movements. Highly trained career drivers execute moves efficiently with modern, reliable equipment. When issues arise, you have one point of contact and one team solving them.

Request Free Yard Audit

See what professional shunting can do for your operation. Our free yard audit identifies inefficiencies, hidden costs, and opportunities for measurable improvement.

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Testimonials

What Our Partners Say

“Economically and operationally, NSSL delivered exactly what we needed. They helped us justify the investment with clear data, managed every step of the rollout, and proved that going electric could make sense on both the balance sheet and in the yard.”

Operations Manager

“The drivers adapted quickly — performance was seamless, uptime improved, and the feedback’s been overwhelmingly positive.”

General Manager, Operations

“Overall, the big difference with NSSL is that yard management is their specialty, and it’s all centered around the needs of the business. The partnership is the best part.”

Company Leader

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Resources

Explore Additional Resources

Explore practical insights, proven results, and expert perspectives from across NSSL. From real-world case studies to executive briefs and thought leadership, these resources are designed to help you make smarter, data-backed decisions in the yard.