Sustainability appears in every aspect of life. The transportation model that supports this concept the most in the logistics sector is intermodal transportation. Intermodal transportation, in general terms, using the same transport container or vehicle between two or more modes of transportation of the products; When the type of transport is changed, the goods are transported without re-handling. The intermodal mode of transportation, which does not require any handling or other action on the load, enables the load to reach more than one point. In this way, it is aimed to ship the products directly to the delivery point without leaving the container or transport vehicle while being transferred to a different transportation mode.
During transportation projects, transition between road-sea and railway services is provided and different combinations are developed. Multimodal transportation, also called multiple transportation system, is the way of transporting the product to be transported from the place of origin to the destination at a price determined by more than one transportation method and with a single invoice. This service is carried out by multimodal (multi-transport) operators. It is usually carried out in the form of international transport , but it can also be applied within the borders of a single country. It can also include land - air - sea transportation methods within multimodal transportation using at least two different types of transportation .
What are the Differences Between Intermodal and Multimodal Transport?
- There are also procedural differences between the two modes of transport. In multimodal transport, a single transport contract is drawn up for each type of logistics service used between the origin and destination of the cargo, while a separate transport contract is drawn up for each transport mode used in the process in intermodal transport.
- The main factor that distinguishes these two transportation systems from each other is whether the cargoes are transferred from one container to another. In multimodal transportation, logistics service change is provided by transferring the loads from the transportation containers they are in to other transportation containers. In intermodal transportation, there is no change in the transport containers of the loads and the load is transferred to another logistics service with its existing container.
- In multimodal transportation, a single carrier company is responsible for the entire logistics process and operation from the point of departure to the destination of the cargo. In the intermodal transportation model, more than one carrier company is involved in the operation process.
- In multimodal transportation, there may be a combination of all types of logistics services, depending on the need. Intermodal transportation is generally used by rail, sea and road services.
Although intermodal transport is seen as a sub-type of multimodal transport, there are some fundamental differences between them. Intermodal and multimodal transportation are methods that are frequently used in the field of logistics. Due to the pandemic, intermodal transportation and multimodal transportation have become highly visible with the changes in the sector and the concept of sustainable logistics.
