The transportation of goods does not necessarily have to be carried out by a single mode of transport. Combining several of them in the form of multi- and intermodal transport is being called the future of the logistics industry.
Multi- and intermodal transport – the modern face of logistics
In the traditional sense, transportation from point A to point B using a single mode of transport seems a more sensible option that saves the hassle of handling or properly arranging the various parts of the supply chain in such a way as to synchronize the multiple stages. Today’s technologies make it easier to combine several forms of transportation into a complementary network, increasing the efficiency of the services provided.
Inter- and multimodal transportation use different modes of transport. It also combines their strengths to extract the most benefits from each transportation system. These can include:
- the economy of rail, which is one of the cheapest transport solutions,
- the flexibility of truck transport, which – thanks to its extensive road network – can go almost anywhere,
- the payload capacity of sea transport is cost-effective for large cargoes.
Transporting goods with the environment in mind
Sustainable logistics is one of the most vital industry trends for the next few years. This is undoubtedly influenced in large part by society’s growing environmental awareness. Customers no longer expect just cheap, fast, and reliable delivery. They also hope to minimize the carbon footprint created in the process. The gradual introduction of emission restrictions (such as the Fit for 55 climate package) by the European Union’s climate policy bodies is also significant.
Inter- and multimodal transport fits perfectly into the tenets of environmentalism. Its main goal is to organize the chain in such a way as to reduce the negative impact on the environment. This is because it reduces road transport to the necessary minimum, incorporating more environmentally friendly solutions into the supply chain. These can be, for example, rail or sea transport, which are not only characterized by lower production of greenhouse gases but also have a higher payload capacity – and thus, the amount of fuel consumed per unit of cargo is low.
Logistics to benefit investor’s portfolio
2022 and 2023 proved quite painful for the transportation industry due to drastic increases in diesel, electricity, and gas prices and general inflation. This has necessitated some changes aimed at cost reduction.
In this respect, inter- and multimodal transportation is following the changes taking place in the industry. A well-organized supply chain using several modes of transportation provides savings in several fields. It is the result of, among other things:
- reduction of storage costs – goods do not have to wait for the availability of a given means of transport. The entire chain is organized in such a way that goods get on the road to their destination right away,
- increased control of transportation costs – the means of transportation used at subsequent stages of the route are selected mainly in terms of which are the most cost-effective,
- reduced handling at the transshipment stage applies to intermodal transport, where goods are in containers or swap bodies. Thus, there is no need to repack the load, as it only needs to be transferred in its entirety to the next mode of transport,
- adapting the mode of transport to the current market situation – the answer to the sharp rise in fuel prices may be to reduce the use of cars to an absolute minimum and replace it with more economical options to the extent possible. Inter- and multimodal transportation presupposes the ability to react quickly to any economic changes in such a way as to find the optimal, and therefore least costly, solution.
Optimizing delivery times with multi- and intermodal transportation
Although the ability to reduce costs associated with transportation in various fields is of great importance, time is always the most crucial currency in logistics. By combining several transportation methods into a single network, a developer can provide flexibility that gives it a competitive advantage.
Although much depends on how the transportation system is organized in a given case, the process is often faster than if one is limited to a single method. In this regard, intermodal transport, which involves using a single loading unit (such as the container above or swap body), deserves to be appreciated. This eliminates the need for transshipment, resulting in improved transportation and a reduction of possible losses arising at this stage.
Inter- and multimodal transportation also affects greater flexibility in terms of seasonality. When, due to some factors, the transportation time turns out to be too long, the transport system can be quickly rebuilt to optimize it. This is particularly cost-effective, especially during peak delivery periods, such as before the holidays.
It’s worth noting that organizing a supply chain combining several modes of transportation can be a significant challenge. You muster a hand, failing to meet it to avoid risking costly delays. The help of a professional inter- and modal transport service company – such as AsstrA – may prove necessary here.
