Multimodal Transport: A Growing Alternative
In the 21st century, global commerce is increasingly dependent on the ability of companies to receive and ship goods and materials efficiently and economically. The traditional approach to transportation has been to use a single vehicle or cargo in order to move goods from one place to another. This single mode transportation system is often time consuming, costly and inefficient. To successfully address some of these shortcomings, companies are turning to multi-modal transportation.
Multimodal transport is the use of different transportation modes, such as rail, truck, barge and air, for the transport of goods. This form of shipping is beneficial to companies in several ways. When shipping by multiple modes, goods are transported by the best and most direct route, saving companies time and money. By taking advantage of different transport modes, goods can be transferred from rail carriers to barge carriers at major waterways, or from truck carriers to rail carriers at the closest near-by railway terminal. This minimizes the amount of fuel that needs to be consumed during the transit, reducing transportation costs and the company’s carbon footprint.
Multimodal transport has become increasingly popular for companies shipping internationally. By utilizing different modes of transport, companies can minimize the number of units driven across international borders. The fast-growing freight shipping industry allows for goods to be transferred border-to-border and transported via an inland carrier. This process can save time and money and allow for more efficient border crossings. Companies are also able to take advantage of expert logistics companies that have the network and the expertise to move goods by way of different transport modes across many countries, and customs or inspection processes.
In addition to the cost savings and efficient transport of goods, multimodal transport also provides companies with the ability to track the movement of their goods. Because the goods are transferred heads between different modes of transport and ship owners, the tracking information can be easily obtained in real time. This allows companies to better oversee the shipping process, ensure accuracy of delivery, reduce the risk of loss or damage to goods, and improve customer service levels.
For companies shipping goods in bulk, such as agricultural products or minerals, multimodal transport can produce significant cost savings. By utilizing multiple transportation modes, companies can optimize for fuel investments, reduce energy consumption and work with carriers who specialize in the type of goods being shipped.
In conclusion, due to the cost effectiveness and the advantages of real-time tracking, more companies are turning to multi-modal transport in order to move goods efficiently and economically. By taking advantage of different transport modes, companies are able to eliminate the inefficiencies of single-mode shipping and reduce the cost of shipment. The increase in the number of freight forwarding companies, border-to-border freight transport, and logistics companies specializing in international transport makes multimodal transport a viable, growing alternative for companies shipping goods internationally.
