Container intermodal transport: A guide to rail and ship integration



Container intermodal transport involves various means of transport, such as rail, road, sea, or air. This can speed up your process, as there is no need to repack the cargo. This system helps your business be compatible with the supply chain stages, decreases cost, and increases transportation efficiency and carbon footprint. Container intermodal transport has revolutionized the shipping industry.


In this article, we will understand intermodal transport's benefits and critical aspects, as well as their best implications and challenges, to create an efficient, cost-saving, and secure intermodal journey. 


What is container intermodal transport? 


Container intermodal transport consists of standardized containers in which goods are kept and can be easily transferred from one mode of transport to another. It truly empowers the way goods are transported with smooth transitions, reducing journey time, cost, and risk of loss. It consists of four essential components: 

  • Cargo containers are a basic necessity for intermodal transport. They can securely and efficiently initiate transportation over long distances in different modes. 

  • Logistics and coordination are needed to plan and manage the smooth transportation process for managing on-time deliveries. 

  • Then comes the modes of transportation, such as trucks, rails, or ships, as per the needs of cargo.

  • Last but most important are the ports and terminals where the shipping storage containers are transferred to another mode. 


You can organize the system of intermodal transportation around certain conditions: 


  • The mode of transportation that carries the least cargo decides the nature and quantity of the goods. Load units under 25 tons are usually the most suitable for intermediate and finished goods. 

  • The initial and assigned positions are two essential factors, as the greater the distance, the more challenging the task of intermodal transportation. The minimum distance for intermodal transportation is 500 km. 

  • The sequence of how the modes of transportation will be used also matters. Trucks, rails, barges, and ships mainly use intermodal transportation. 

  • The frequency of the cargo must be consistent, continuous, and in the exact quantities. 

  • Low-value cargo is most suitable for intermodal transportation, while high-value cargo must prefer air, a direct mode of transportation. 


What are the advantages of container intermodal transport?


Intermodal container transportation offers many advantages to the modern logistics and shipping industries. So, let’s explain the advantages of intermodal container transport: 


1. Agility and reliability: Intermodal transportation is agile for the processes of routine and scheduling. Also, it offers better ways for goods to be prevented from external weather conditions and traffic and manage capacity limitations. Therefore, the reliability of the shipping process will be maintained by reducing the risk of any damage. 


2. Cost efficiency: Using different modes of transport in one journey ensures a more significant cost advantage, as each mode offers cost advantages. 


3. Efficiency in the supply chain: Container intermodal transportation decreases the journey time, leading to faster delivery and abolishing the need for other container handling. 


4. Ethical option: Container intermodal transport is the most ethical and sustainable shipping option as it decreases environmental harm. For example, it supports rail for large distances and trucks for last-mile delivery, which reduces fuel usage and greenhouse gasses. 


5. Customer contentment: Container intermodal transport is fast, cost-effective, and efficient, which increases customer satisfaction. 


Methods of intermodal transportation


Container intermodal transport has different modes that are beneficial for transportation. First, explore the different types of intermodal transports: 


1. Rail intermodal transport: Rail transport, as we know, uses railways to transport goods in large numbers. Rails can transfer goods through 20-foot shipping containers, although they can also use other types and sizes of containers. They are very famous in Asia but perform the best in the United States. The integration of rail, water, and truck shows the agility of this type of transportation. Rail transport is the cheapest and fastest transportation available on the road. Moreover, the  Federal Rail Road Administration (FRA) maintains rail transportation security and has implemented security measures. 


2. Cargo ships: Cargo ships transport heavy goods from one place to another, connecting container ports and offering global trade. Cargo ships mainly employ 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers, domestically and internationally. These ships can easily combine with rail containers to create adequate intermodal transportation. 


Products shipped with intermodal transportation


Container intermodal transport can transport electronics, agricultural products, clothing, vehicles, machinery, construction materials, and specialized goods, such as refrigerators and freezers in reefers (temperature-controlled containers), liquids in tank containers, and hazardous materials (hazmat). 


What are the key challenges in integrating rail and ship transport for containers?


Container intermodal transport is beneficial for a successful and effective shipping journey but has some challenges. Let's explore some key challenges in rail and ship integration: 


1. Structural coordination: Every country has its own transportation measures, rules, and regulations. Also, ports must have proper tracks, cranes, and handling apparatuses. 


2. Cooperation and planning: Coordinating the schedules of both the transports is complex. If one mode of transportation is late, there is a delay in shipment. Hence, there are different stakeholders in transportation, it is challenging to manage the communication and access of real-time data between the modes of transportation. 


3. Regulatory issues: In addition to transportation terms, shippers and sellers have different custom terms, which create problems for the shipping industries. Different security, execution regulations, and environmental measures generate barriers to combining different modes of transportation. 


Container intermodal transport is the transfer of goods through various modes of transportation. Rail and water are the most used modes of transportation. You must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages and then decide which intermodal transport to use. 


LOTUS Containers offers you intermodal transports that are portable and easy to transfer from one place to another. Containers for lease and container trading are also available at the same place.

 

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