Transport Solutions

Intermodal: Intermodal transportation is the movement of goods in an intermodal container or vehicle, using two or more modes or carriers, during its journey from shipper to consignee. To learn more about intermodal shipping, read our previous posts about what it is and its benefits.

Multimodal: Multimodal transportation, also known as combined transportation, also involves the use of two or more modes or carriers, but with one contract through a single carrier who is legally liable for the entire process. This carrier doesn’t necessarily perform all service to complete the shipment’s journey. In fact, much of the transport is performed by sub-carriers which are called “actual carriers”. The legally responsible, contracted, carrier is called a multimodal transport operator or MTO.

They sound very similar in these definitions except for the fact that Multimodal has a single carrier responsible for the entire process. So what else makes the two different and why would you select one over the other?

We Integrates Our Operations
  • We also provide A multimodal transport system integrates different geographical scales from the global to the local.
  • With the development of new modal and intermodal infrastructure, regions have a growing accessibility to the global market. The above figure represents a corridor within a multimodal transportation system composed of a set of gateways an hubs (A, B and C) where regional and local transportation networks converge.
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In multimodal, the shipper has a contract with one carrier that covers the entire journey of their shipment, regardless of the number of modes involved. The contracted carrier issues a Combined Transport Bill of Lading or a Multimodal Bill of Lading. The advantages include:

  • The ability of the shipper to hold one carrier liable for the movement of their freight
  • One contact for tracking a shipment
  • One responsible entity for meeting delivery requirements

In intermodal, there are multiple contracts – one with a freight forwarder or ocean carrier, one or more with a trucking company, and one or more for rail transportation. Each carrier issues a separate Bill of Lading in intermodal shipping. The advantages include:

  • The ability to select carriers for each leg of the shipment based on price or service
  • Being able to stop the shipment at any point for any reason
  • More flexibility in carrier selection when equipment or space issues arise.
Why would you select one over the other?

Here are several questions to consider when selecting between intermodal and multimodal:

  • Do you want multiple independent contracts with multiple carriers?
  • What is the total cost difference between both options?
  • How will each option impact inventory turns and costs?
  • How much time savings is involved in one option versus the other from transit time and administrative coordination?
  • What is the environmental impact of each option?
  • How much paperwork will end up being involved in each?