What is intermodal transport and multimodal transport?

What is intermodal transport or intermodal freight transport? It refers to freight using different modes of transport. The most important rule in the intermodal transport is to use the same loading unit, e.g. a container, along the entire transport route, without reloading the goods when changing transport modes.
The situation is different in case of broader multimodal transport (which includes intermodal transport) where it is possible to handle the goods themselves using different modes of transport.
With intermodal transport, we can use any combination of transport modes, it can be rail-road-sea, rail-road-air, sea-rail or a combination of road and sea, rail or air.

Advantages of intermodal transport:

Using intermodal transport benefits not only the companies using it, but also the environment.
Let’s see the gains associated with intermodal transport.

Balance of transport costs

Multimodal or intermodal freight transport using different means of transport might appear complex and costly than transporting goods using, for example, truck-only transport.
Meanwhile, intermodal transport, i.e. a variant of combined transport, makes it possible to reduce transport costs by choosing the most efficient route and using the cheapest mode of transport for specific directions and goods, resulting in lower costs for: fuels, various types of charges and storage. It is also possible to load larger consignments at a time than with road transport and, with the transport of heavy containers (up to 26 tonnes), there is also a saving in handling costs (no need for unloading).

The costs of intermodal transport can therefore be lower than for a single mode of transport.

Cargo security

Thanks to the use of a single loading unit, it is not necessary to reload the goods when changing the mode of transport. Therefore, the risk of goods being damaged, lost or stolen is reduced.

Environmental protection

Intermodal transport means fewer greenhouse gases and less noise emissions than traditional road transport. This is possible thanks to the use of environmentally friendly forms of transport: rail and sea.

Flexibility and accessibility of transport services

Using effective intermodal transport makes it possible to adapt to the individual needs of customers, using the means of transport process appropriate to their preferences and the specifics of their business. Intermodal transports also make it possible to substitute one mode of transport for another in the absence of suitable infrastructure.

How do I organise intermodal transport?

To organise a transport to a destination using different modes of transport is not an easy thing to do. The difficulties that a person without shipping experience will encounter and their costs could outweigh the benefits of combined transport. Therefore, it is better to outsource such transfer to an experienced freight agent with appropriately trained freight forwarders. Intermodal freights performed using a single contractor, responsible for all operations related to the delivery of the consignment to the indicated address, is safer and, as a result, the price of transporting goods can be lower and the lead time for intermodal transport shorter than for traditional transport. But it must be admitted that organising such a combined freight can also take a few days longer.

JAS-FBG owns means of transport, a well-developed network of warehouses, logistics platforms, customs agencies, as well as partnerships with international logistics operators and freight forwarders to ensure the efficient transfer of shipments throughout Poland, Europe and the world. JAS-FBG also has a team of experienced FIATA-certified freight forwarders who will professionally handle the transportation of your goods. We ship door-to-door, everywhere. Find out how much you could save on transport costs if you used the services of JAS-FBG.

Use the contact form to get a quote on intermodal transport.

Intermodal transport in Poland

Between 2012 and 2022, intermodal transport in Poland recorded a more than 3-fold increase in transported volume, from more than 644,000 to almost 1,750,000 units and, despite a temporary slowdown in 2023 felt throughout the transport industry, combined transport with a particular focus on intermodal transport in our country will continue to grow in the years to come.

This will be influenced by EU climate and transport policies, such as the Combined Transport Directive, the expansion and construction of new container terminals, infrastructure investments in ports, the modernisation of railway lines, new industrial sidings and investments by logistics companies and intermodal carriers, including projects subsidised by EU funds. Also if importance is the increased awareness of consumers and businesses, which are paying more and more attention not only to the price of freight, but also to environmental aspects, including the carbon footprint of transport.