Intermodal freight transportation is the transportation of intermodal freight containerized cargo, using multiple modes of container transport, including trucks, trains, barges, and ships. In this method of transportation, the cargo itself is not handled when it is transferred from one mode of transportation to another, rather full cargo containers and their contents are transferred from truck to rail, or from truck to barge/ship. , or from railway to barge/ship, or from barge/ship to truck, etc.
Some of the advantages of intermodal freight transport include:
• Little or no damage – When cargo is properly packed and sealed in a container, the contents of the container should not be damaged during transit.
• Labor savings – actual cargo is only handled at its point of origin when it is packed into the container and at its final destination when it is unpacked.
• Shipping handling is eliminated – once a container is packed and sealed, that container will not be reopened until it reaches its final destination.
• Flexibility in Types of Transport – Containers can be transferred from ships to land transport (trucks and trains) or even to barges for river transport. Barges are used to transport containerized cargo on major river systems such as the Mississippi River in the United States and the Rhein River in Germany.
• Specialized Containers – There is a wide range of containers designed to transport different types of cargo, including liquids, frozen, compressed or liquefied gases, fast cargo and even mini containers for smaller loads. There are also special containers for the transport of livestock, tilting containers that facilitate and speed up the unloading of grain, fan containers that can ventilate the load inside with built-in blowers or fans, containers with garment hanging systems and even open containers. designed for the transport of long articles.
• Little or no robbery/theft – The likelihood of robbery or theft is greatly reduced or even eliminated when cargo is shipped in sealed containers.
• Saved time and improved efficiency: the use of containers means that ships or barges are loaded and unloaded faster, which means less time in port and greater efficiency. Cranes can quickly move containers from a ship/barge to trucks or trains for direct delivery to inland destinations.
Some disadvantages of intermodal freight transport include:
• Not suitable for transporting smaller shipments – Containerization is often not practical for shipping smaller loads because shipping costs are often too high for half-container loads.
• Heavy loads can cause road damage – Trucks carrying heavy container loads can cause additional wear and tear on road surfaces, increasing maintenance costs. In the case of public roads and highways, these higher maintenance costs can result in higher taxes for individuals and businesses.
• Delivery delays: As has been experienced in Europe and elsewhere at various times, labor disputes or strikes involving dockworkers in ports or rail or truck workers can delay deliveries.
• Port Costs – Dockside delivery can be expensive, especially when ships are forced to remain in port for extended periods, as can happen when cargo cannot be unloaded during labor disputes/strikes involving shippers. port workers. In addition, the largest container ships in use today require specialized deepwater terminals and handling facilities.
