Getting Started with Rail Intermodal Transport
This post was last updated on March, 6th 2022
Most Canadian businesses are familiar with the term “intermodal transport” as a means to transport goods throughout the country. But what many companies may not realize is that intermodal transportation can help Canadian businesses save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase productivity.
This blog post will discuss the who, what, and why of intermodal transport.
Table of contents
- Intermodal Transportation and Intermodal Shipping Services Explained
- Intermodal transportation: A quick definition
- How does intermodal transportation work?
- The difference between multimodal transport and intermodal transportation
- The 4 Types of Intermodal Transportation
- Truck transport intermodal
- Rail intermodal transportation
- Airfreight intermodal
- Sea or Ocean freight intermodal transport
- Intermodal transportation: The benefits every business owner should know
- Reduced transportation costs
- Increased Efficiency
- Increased Reliability
- Environmental Friendliness
- Reduced Inventory Levels
- Increased Security
- Time Savings
Intermodal Transportation and Intermodal Shipping Services Explained
The intermodal transportation industry is booming, and for a good reason. It’s not just the low transportation costs that make intermodal rail transport so appealing to businesses; it’s also more efficient and reliable.
Most Canadians know intermodal transport as truckload or rail transportation. But a lack of knowledge, outdated metrics, and misconceptions about intermodal transport have combined to suppress its market value – making it a genuinely untapped market for businesses.
Intermodal transport: A quick definition
Intermodal transportation is the method of transporting cargo via intermodal containers between two or more modes of transport.
The advantage is that the handling of goods reduces significantly. This is because, with intermodal freight transport, the container is the unit of transportation rather than the cargo. The container is loaded once and then travels by road, rail, or ship to its destination.
How does intermodal transportation work?
The intermodal transport process begins on a truck or railcar, where cargo is unloaded and placed into an intermodal container.
These containers are then transferred to the intermodal terminal via ocean freight or vice versa. When arriving at the final destination, they’re offloaded for domestic shipping and delivery by rail and trucking companies.
The difference between multimodal transport and intermodal transportation
A common misconception is that intermodal transport and multimodal transportation are the same.
When a container is moved via multiple modes of transportation without being opened, it’s called intermodal.
But if goods inside are opened and transferred to another mode of transportation, it becomes known as multimodal transport.
The 4 Types of Intermodal Transport Modes
- Truck transport intermodal
- Rail intermodal transportation
- Airfreight intermodal
- Sea or Ocean freight intermodal transport
Road transport intermodal
Truckload shipping is a method of transporting goods overland. A designated trucking company is generally hired for moving freight from one point to another quickly and efficiently, often between cities or provinces within Canada.
As road transport is more flexible, trucks are often employed for the “last mile transport,” corresponding to the journey’s pick-up or final destination.
Intermoda rail transport
Rail intermodal is the process of loading cargo onto railcars at origin and unloading it at the destination.
It’s often used when moving goods over long distances and offers a cost-effective alternative to truck intermodal freight shipping services.
Airfreight intermodal
Air intermodal is transporting cargo by air from the origin point to the airport for transfer into an aircraft or vice versa.
Maritime transport
Sea and ocean intermodal means transporting goods by boat from one point to another.
It’s an eco-friendly way for a company to reduce its carbon footprint and save them money on fuel costs compared to trucking but not necessarily in comparison with rail.
Intermodal transportation: The benefits every business owner should know
1. Reduced transportation costs
The use of intermodal containers allows for cargo consolidation and eliminates the need for multiple handling. This reduces the number of labour hours required and fuel consumption and emissions.
2. Increased Efficiency
Loading and unloading containers is faster than loading and unloading cargo from trucks or railway wagons. This is due to the standardization of containers and the use of container handling equipment.
3. Increased Reliability
The intermodal transportation network is far more reliable than road transport. Trucks can break down, traffic jams occur, and weather conditions disrupt deliveries. But a well-run intermodal transport system is rarely affected by such incidents.
4. Environmental Friendliness
Sea and intermodal transport are the most environmentally-friendly options for transporting goods over long distances. Road transport is not as fuel-efficient as intermodal and generates more emissions.
5. Reduced Inventory Levels
Using intermodal transportation can help companies reduce their inventory levels, as stock can be transported more quickly and efficiently using the combined transport network.
6. Increased Security
Intermodal transportation offers a high level of security for cargo. Containers are sealed at the point of loading and only opened at the destination, minimizing the risk of theft or damage to the goods.
7. Time Savings
Intermodal transportation can save companies time, as goods can be transported more quickly and efficiently using the combined transport network.
Intermodal transport is a great way to reduce shipping costs for any company. It can also increase efficiency and reliability by moving cargo quickly, reliably, and cost-effectively.
The intermodal transportation network is far more reliable than road transport as trucks break down or get stuck in traffic jams, whereas intermodal freight doesn’t have that problem.
In addition, intermodal transportation is environmentally friendly and can reduce a company’s inventory levels.
Security-wise, intermodal freight containers are sealed and only opened at the destination to minimize any thefts or damage during transport.
Finally, time savings are perhaps one of the most essential benefits companies can reap from intermodal transport.
All in all, intermodal freight transportation is a great way to move cargo and should be taken into serious consideration for any business looking to ship goods over long distances.
Are you looking for a comprehensive intermodal rail quote? Contact one of our experts today and save.
