Intermodal and Multimodal transport

August 14, 2008

Intermodal transport covers combined transport on the international level. It represents the flow of goods where the means of transport (road, rail, air, water) change at least one time on the existing transport route. Separate mode of transport is responsible for its part of the route in the transport chain. There is not necessary to containerize the goods, while modern manipulation facilities are settled on the separate nods.

Intermodal transport chain can be built up in the following way:

International multimodal transport is logistical concept, which covers the movements of goods from supplier to receiver under the responsibility of a single transport operator. It represents the flow of goods, where at least on one part of the transport chain, two different modern means of transport are involved at the same time.

Multimodal transport operates on the global market and variety of cultures, languages and commercial practices at both ends of a trade are involved. Because of that, it is reasonable that one qualified and skilled operator (MTO – Multimodal Transport Operator) organize and be responsible for the whole transport chain on the base of one multimodal contract.

Multimodal transport and international trade in general are steered through specific regulations:

• Trading terms (INCOTERMS – determine the responsibility of involved parties),
• Letters of credit,
• Multimodal transport documents.

Theoretically this concept can represent multi-step or combined system of goods flow. It is executed without a change of transport units (containers, trucks...).

Interceptions (warehouses, reloading platforms, ports,…) on the transport route must be equipped with a special standardized manipulation facilities and infrastructure, which enable efficient and fast loading, unloading and reloading of freight units, vehicles and wagons (Roll-on-Roll-off, cranes...).

Expensive modern reloading port facilities are necessary for successful intermodal and multimodal operations. Container manipulation (train-ship, truck-ship and opposite direction) are mostly performed operations in ports.