Intermodal Transportation

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. Hub Group, Inc.

Landstar Systems Inc. Xtra Corporation

Guide to Intermodal Transportation

By Kelly L. Trainor
Shipping people or products using multiple modes of transportation

Intermodal transportation involves the use of 2 or more carriers, or “modes” that link logistics programs in order to complete delivery. This can involve transport by land, sea or air in a number of carrier combinations. The marriage of rail and intermodal trucking companies is a common example of intermodal shipping. A shipper loads product into a cargo container attached to a truck by a special chassis. The truck takes the product to a rail yard where a crane separates the box from the chassis and transfers it to a train. When the train reaches its destination, a crane operator offloads the container to a truck chassis once more for final delivery.

Intermodal transportation services provide businesses with a simple solution for getting cargo from Point A to Point B. For a single rate, a shipper is able to schedule a move by origin and destination alone. The shipper needn’t be concerned over logistical details, such as how to get a product moved partially by train, and partially by truck. Intermodal brokers make all the arrangements.

To take advantage of intermodal services, consider the following:

1. Consider the size and weight of your product. Each mode has its own requirements and restrictions.

2. Review the shipping time frame. Some carrier combinations are speedier than others.

3. Calculate the cost effectiveness of assorted intermodal carrier combinations.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine the intermodal transport container best suited to your product Containers come in a variety of sizes and shapes. In addition to standard trailer boxes, vented, refrigerated ('Reefer'), open-sided containers or containers with bulk liquid tanks are also available.

I recommend:  Research container capacities and assorted styles to find one with maximum efficiency for your product.

Find intermodal brokers to address your shipping needs Once you've established a working relationship and provided the broker with product size and weight, simply give the broker a delivery timeframe, and he takes it from there.

I recommend:  Alliance Shippers, Inc., is one of the largest intermodal exchange companies in the world. They’re ideal for businesses that cater to multinational customers. Handy Freight Brokers is also an excellent find, offering discount intermodal shipping with the motto, “Any load, any size, anywhere…for less!”

Track your product shipments using EDI technology Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is state of the art design for tracking all aspects of intermodal exchange. Follow your product from the time it leaves your dock until it arrives in your customer's hands.

I recommend:  Request a free EDI price quote from Truecommerce.com, or visit Infocon Systems for a free demonstration of their subscription-based EDI system.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Compare intermodal pricing against traditional trucking alternatives. For some shippers, adherence to intermodal transport schedules is not a problem. For JIT freight, the more direct route of sending shipments by truck offers enhanced product security (shipment never sits unattended in an open rail yard) without transloading delays.