Intermodal Transport

What is intermodal transport?

Intermodal cargo transport is carriage of cargo with more than one mode. It is crucial that a single load unit is carried in this type of transport, like a single container or swap body (interchangeable unit) to prevent handling of the load contents between modes of transport. Directive 92/106/EEC specifies that the main part of intermodal transport should be handled using sea shipping, rail transport, or inland waterways. Road transport should cover the shortest leg of journey possible, usually for the ‘last mile’ to the destination. Moreover, intermodal transport is done under a single transport contract, no matter how many modes of transport or vehicles the cargo is delivered with.

Benefits of intermodal transport

The ‘green alternative’: reducing the environmental impact of transport

Every day, billions of tons of cargo are moved across the world, which is why it is so important to reduce the environmental impact of exhaust gases and other harmful chemicals from specific modes of transport. Intermodal transport helps to reduce carbon emissions, fuel consumption, and noise levels. Switching to intermodal transport can reduce CO2 emissions by 70 to 80%.

Savings

Using intermodal transport of cargo can avoid tolls for motorways, bridges and other paid sections of roads. You can also choose the best of several route options possible. The options of intermodal routes are studied by freight forwarders and cargo carriers, like Rudniccy-Magetra.

Lower risk of cargo damage

Road transport entails a risk of sudden manoeuvres of the truck or road accidents which is much higher than in rail transport, and the latter reduces the risk of cargo damage to incomparably lower levels.

Diverse transport channels

Europe has been suffering from a growing shortage of truck drivers. The availability of trucks for transport work is now routinely insufficient, compromising lead times and regular deliveries. This problem will only get worse in the nearest future. Even today, Europe needs about 150,000 truck drivers. In intermodal transport, however, the demand for human labour, truck drivers in particular, is several times lower. This way, the required number of workers is ensured and the costs of transport are more immune to wage demands.

Savings

The energy input required for intermodal transport is much lower than in road transport, and the cost of intermodal transport is less contingent on the rapidly growing prices of energy. Unlike other types of transport, intermodal transport requires little human work and its prices are more immune to wage demands, an issue prevalent in the road transport sector. It also helps to avoid tolls for roads, bridges and tunnels, which have been rising recently.