Combined transportation is an opportunity to take the best from trucks, sea transportation and air travel. The involvement of different modes of transport makes it possible to reach any corner of the planet. There are several ways to organize such a complex logistics chain, each of which has its own characteristics.
Basic concepts
What is intermodal transportation
Intermodal transportation is the provision of delivery services by two or more modes of transport on the basis of several contracts.
Thus, responsibility is divided between carriers – each is responsible for its own stage. All are separately controlled by a contractor, so it is important that he is an experienced freight forwarder. However, not all businesses have the appropriate staff and extensive experience in international freight transportation. Therefore, most enterprises turn to the services of a transport and logistics company – for them this will already be multimodal transportation, which we will talk about in more detail below.
What is multimodal transportation
Multimodal transportation is the provision of delivery services by two or more modes of transport on the basis of one contract.
One carrier is responsible for the entire logistics chain – it is called a multimodal operator.
So the business concludes an agreement with a logistics company, which takes on the entire organization of the route:
- selection of transport;
- coordination of carriers;
- reloading;
- warehousing;
- document management;
- insurance;
- customs clearance;
- transportation “from door to door”.
Thus, the client receives a “turnkey” service and can not be distracted by organizational aspects, focusing on important internal tasks.
Multimodal and intermodal transportation – what is the difference
Both types of transportation require the use of several types of transport. So the difference is not in the number of vehicles involved, but in determining who is responsible.
If the company has the resources to independently manage a large logistics chain, it chooses intermodal transportation. In the future, this provides more opportunities for collecting analytics and analyzing the supply.
Advantages of intermodal transportation:
- greater route flexibility and adaptation to needs;
- easier control over goods;
- faster delivery (shorter cargo handling time);
- combination of the most efficient modes of transport;
- the ability to choose carriers;
- environmental protection due to reduced CO2 emissions;
- regularity of rail and sea voyages.
Intermodal transportation allows you to flexibly manage deliveries and choose partners. That is why this method is suitable for companies with stable large cargo flows and their own contracts with ports, airlines and other carriers.
Multimodal transportation is suitable when less bureaucracy and outsourcing of management are more important than scale and control.
Advantages of multimodal transportation:
- simplified registration (after all, only one contract is concluded);
- less administrative work;
- one person responsible for the entire route;
- an effective way to solve complex logistical tasks;
- less risks;
- wide geography;
- transparent prices and predictable terms;
- simplified customs control.
In short, multimodal transportation is a focus on business, not logistics.
Practical application of combined transportation
Combined transportation is a general name for mixed transportation, so intermodal and multimodal are included in its types.
Who is suitable for intermodal transportation:
- large businesses that have their own logistics service;
- transport and logistics companies.
Intermodal transportation is an ideal option for standard, bulk and regular cargo. This can be raw materials, building materials, industrial equipment, etc.
Who is suitable for multimodal transportation:
- small and medium-sized businesses;
- online stores, distributors;
- exporters and importers;
- businesses that want to outsource logistics;
- irregular shipments, one-time deliveries without contracts.
Multimodality is the most effective method of transportation for dangerous (ADR, IMO) and valuable cargo. After all, there is one responsible operator for the entire route, which provides its own security system. Multimodality is also suitable for urgent deliveries due to minimal delays – everything is issued under one consignment number.
What equipment is used for different types of transportation
To simplify combined transportation, various equipment is used in logistics. The key element here is the container.
A container is the only universal cargo unit that allows you to move goods without reloading between modes of transport: rail, sea, road, etc. This optimizes logistics, because the cargo does not need to be unpacked at each stage of the route. It is loaded once into a container, which is then easily tracked and transferred between different carriers. In this regard, the container must be suitable for everyone and comply with international standards. For example, an ISO container has the same dimensions, design, and mounting angles, regardless of transport, carrier and country.
ISO container is a standardized and universal container, which is the main cargo unit for both intermodal and multimodal transportation. ISO container complies with international ISO standards (ISO 668 series, ISO 6346, etc.), its types may vary depending on the contents inside. Container transportation will cope with heavy and oversized, chemical and dry cargo. ISO container will provide strong protection and the correct temperature regime.
Other equipment used for combined transportation:
- by rail: platforms, wagons, tanks;
- for aviation: ULD containers;
- for road transport: semi-trailers (trailers), container ships, refrigerators;
- for sea / river transport: container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, Ro-Ro ships.
Container transportation is adapting to modern needs, so containers are equipped with GPS trackers, security systems, humidity and heat sensors.
Conclusion
Intermodal and multimodal transportation is not a question of which is better or worse, and it is not at all about the competition of two types of deliveries. These two logistical approaches are interconnected and effective. They allow you to combine different types of transport in a single chain that will be universal and reliable, and at the same time flexible and adaptive.
To make a choice between transportation formats, it is important to determine the goals of the business, the nature of the cargo and the regularity of deliveries. However, any option will provide cost optimization, increase logistics efficiency and expand the possibilities of entering new markets.
