Intermodal transport
It is defined as a method of international transport involving different modes of transport: road transport, rails, air transport, maritime transport, etc. It is the “movement of goods (into the same loading unit or vehicle) through successive modes of transport without handling the goods themselves when changing modes” according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Usually, most of the goods that are shipped internationally by maritime shipping, at some point during the process are transported by land. The shipment is usually made by truck or by railway starting from the sender’s warehouse to the port of origin and then again from the port of destination to the address indicated by the sender.
A consignment which is considered intermodal must function using a transport unit during its shipment; transport containers are usually used and the goods are not being consolidated or deconsolidated at any time during dispatch.
What do ITU’s represent in this type of transport?
ITUs or intermodal transport units are transport units where the dispatch of goods is carried out by means of intermodal transport. The most used ITUs are shipping containers. However, there are other forms of ITU, such as trailers, railway wagons, spare bodies, etc.
Intermodal stations
An intermodal station is the place where ITUs are switched from one mode of transport to another. These intermodal stations have specialized equipment to facilitate the transfer or storage of the ITU. Intermodal stations are also known as multimodal stations or intermodal terminals.
What then is the difference between intermodal and multimodal transport? We are tempted to mix the two especially when we think about the similarities between the two. There are also many situations when they are used interchangeably, as if they were the same, but they are not. However, there are two primary differences between intermodal and multimodal transport: transport units and the number of transport contracts.
If we talk about intermodal transport, the sender usually has different contracts with different suppliers such as the freight forwarder, the freight transport, the truck company, etc., while multimodal transport uses a single contract (which is usually done with the carrier) with a single carrier that is responsible for the movement of goods in all other modes of transport.
Another difference between intermodal and multimodal transport is their transport units. Multimodal transport involves various transport units between the modes of transport, while in intermodal transport a single transport unit is used throughout the journey, even when its mode of transport changes.
In conclusion, we can consider intermodal transport as a form of multimodal transport, with a single transport unit used in the shipping of transport. Since the differences between intermodal and multimodal transport are quite unclear even for experienced agents of import or export, we recommend you to contact an experienced shipper who will advise you according to your needs.
Utilizând transportul intermodal beneficiezi de următoarele avantaje:
– The transport time is reduced;
– Fast loading and unloading;
– The risk of loss or theft is small;
– Increased efficiency in communication with only one intermediate;
– Reduced bureaucracy;
– Reduced energy consumption;
– Cost reduction.
Regardless of your requirements, Șerban Trans Impex Consulting is at your service by providing you with reliable information on the conduct of the customs activity and helping you with the preparation of all the necessary documents.
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