In today's world, the requirement for cost-effective and efficient transportation of goods has made intermodal and trans-loading services popular. Our company provides numerous gateways to the region selected per your preferences for transport mode, cargo specifications, customs clearance, transport equipment, and final delivery point. Along every route, we offer door-to-door and in-house forwarding services supported by our resources.
What are Intermodal Services?
Intermodal freight transportation is a method that utilizes various modes of transportation, including trucks, trains, and inland waterway shipping solutions. This technique enables businesses to ship their goods through diverse routing options without transferring the cargo at each stage. By doing so, companies can transport sizable quantities of freights over long distances with an optimal combination of freight rates and transit times.
Rectangular steel boxes of 20 or 40 feet are the most common containers for freight transportation today, although they come in other lengths too. They are considered intermodal because they can be conveniently transferred between trucks, railways, and ships. However, in the context of railway transportation, the term intermodal typically refers to containerized shipments transported between trucks and trains.
Intermodal works like this:
To transport products, they are loaded into containers that go on trucks. The container is taken to an intermodal ramp, lifted off the car, and placed on a train. At the destination, the container goes back on a truck for delivery. This method uses multiple types of transportation, making it efficient and cost-effective.
What are Transloading Services?
Transloading Services provide businesses with flexibility and cost savings by allowing cargo to be transferred from one mode of transportation to another. This approach minimizes the weaknesses of each way while taking advantage of their strengths. For instance, cargo can be transported across the ocean by ship and then transferred to a truck for final delivery.
Transloading is particularly useful for shipments with multiple warehouse locations that require palletizing. This standardization has increased the efficiency and use of transloading, especially with today's commercial container ships designed for international cargo transportation. This unique method can be implemented at any point in your logistics strategy to help ensure products reach their destinations on time.
Material Transported by Transloading
Many industries utilize transloading methods, including aeronautics, military, communications, construction, and food.
Using transloading can be used to send the following items:
Building Materials, Food and Liquids, Household Goods, Large machinery, and military equipment
Intermodal vs. Transloading Services: Which is Right for Your Business?
The three factors to consider when choosing between intermodal and transloading services are:
Cargo type: Different types of cargo require different modes of transportation. For example, bulk cargo such as coal or grain is typically transported by rail, while perishable goods may require refrigerated trucks.
Distance: The cargo's travel distance is also an essential factor. For shorter distances, transloading services may be more cost-effective, while for longer distances, intermodal transportation may be a better option.
Budget: Finally, businesses must consider their budget when choosing between intermodal and trans-loading services. Intermodal transportation may be more expensive upfront, but it can be more cost-effective in the long run due to its efficiency and speed. On the other hand, trans-loading services may be a more affordable option for smaller businesses with limited budgets.
