Importing and exporting goods can be much more cost-effective if you employ intermodal carriers to get your goods to their destination. Transporting intermodal freight involves movement over the ocean, rails and roads in a single container, minimizing losses due to repeated cargo loading and unloading. Using intermodal freight companies also necessitates knowledge of maritime, rail and ground transportation on an international level.

The first step to using intermodal motor carriers is to develop an in-depth understanding of intermodal motor carriers basics, each mode of transportation and the laws and rules that govern them. That means connecting with various regulatory agencies to make sure the agent, company or logistics specialist handling your inventory carries the appropriate licenses and affiliations to ship internationally.

1. Ocean shipping is the first leg of intermodal transportation.

2. Intermodal freight companies usually ship by rail to connect with an intermodal trucking carrier.

3. The third and final leg brings in intermodal trucking carriers to get your cargo to its destination.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get started with an intermodal motor carriers industry overview

Before you sign with an intermodal agent, find out who is working to improve the industry and guarantee safety and efficiency for intermodal trucking companies. More than 15 agencies within the U.S., and many more that represent international interests, have a direct impact on the structure and flow of intermodal transportation points. How well the industry functions could have a direct impact on your business, so get involved to learn from the experts and effect change.

I recommend: Learn from those who are improving the worldwide intermodal system with the latest advancement in communications and traffic flow management, the Intermodal Freight Technology Working Group. Review intermodal motor carriers' basic safety standards with the Transportation Sector Network Management division of the Transportation Security Administration.

Arm your shipment with intermodal agents who have the best information

The intermodal carrier you or your agent select for each leg of your cargo's journey will be responsible for keeping accurate transportation records as decreed by maritime, rail and motor authorities. What they'll need from you to initiate the trip through customs is an accurate and complete bill of lading. The document needs to contain detailed descriptions of the cargo, including amounts, sizes and shapes (to highlight electronic imaging anomalies), and any possible radioactive elements included.

I recommend: Find the documents and licenses required for intermodal freight using U.S. Customs and Border Security resources. Learn which questions to ask about available customs technology when hiring intermodal carriers from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Find intermodal freight companies that meet and exceed regulatory standards

Hiring an intermodal freight company requires a certain level of trust, but it works both ways, and it only takes you so far. Every intermodal trucking company should inspect your cargo to the extent required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations, and you should have a guarantee that the cargo container will be secured in compliance with the Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Act.

I recommend: Read regulations directly from the intermodal motor carrier's ultimate source, the Intermodal Association of North America. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration oversees every intermodal trucking carrier in the U.S., and lists any freight forwarder, motor carrier or property broker's licensing and insurance data in its searchable online database.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It may sound simple enough, but provide complete shipper and destination addresses in the bill of lading you send with intermodal carriers. This makes it possible for customs inspectors to verify the load quickly, saving you time and money.

The link between ocean, rail and over-the-road transportation can be a lot smoother if you use intermodal motor carriers to deliver your goods to their final destination. Simply put, the whole theory behind using an intermodal carrier is that the container housing your cargo is moved from ship, to train, to intermodal motor carrier and isn't opened until it reaches its destination.

The key reasons to use an intermodal trucking company are:

1. Your cargo remains undisturbed from point of embarkation to destination.
2. Very often intermodal carriers have formed relationships where you only pay one fee to ship your cargo, no matter which mode of transportation you use.
3. Fewer cargo handlers are involved in intermodal shipments.
4. Since your cargo never leaves its container, it's easier to track its whereabouts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an intermodal agent

Intermodal agents are usually freight forwarders that handle intermodal carriers, including intermodal trucking companies, shiplines, airlines and railroads.

I recommend: Among the major companies that specialize in handling intermodal freight are The Hub Group and J.B. Hunt, which is an intermodal trucking company that has developed a relationship with the Sante Fe Railroad. Find other agents that handle intermodal trucking carriers and other forms of intermodal transportation by going to the Intermodal Association of America website. Also check with the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America to find an intermodal broker or forwarder in your area.

Find an intermodal trucking company

Many intermodal trucking carriers have formed relationships with railroads, shiplines and airlines to provide 'through service' from point of entry to destination.

I recommend: The easiest way to find an intermodal trucking company is to check the IANA listing for trucking companies that specialize in intermodal shipments, or consult their membership directory for intermodal marketing companies.

Find a logistics specialist

So-called 'logistics companies' specialize in the handling of intermodal cargo.

I recommend: Among the better known logistics companies are Landstar, CSX Intermodal and APL logistics. Note that one is a trucking company, the second a railroad and the third is a shipline. All three are climbing aboard the growing intermodal bandwagon.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure the trucking company or intermodal agent you choose knows the laws governing intermodal transportation in the U.S. and other countries.
• •  Check on the relationship between the trucking company and other carriers involved in the transportation of your cargo as afar as their ability to work together, reliability, etc.
• •  Make sure the intermodal carrier gives all the fees up front. You don't need any surprises when the cargo finally reaches its destination.
• •  Make sure the carriers are insured against loss of cargo and are covered by adequate errors and omissions insurance.
• •  If you're using an intermodal agent or forwarder, get the name of the person who is following the cargo's progress.
• •  Find out what cargo tracking services are available for you to use to check on the location of your cargo, especially if it's delayed.

The intermodal motor carriers career field is ever-changing, and requires that all players in the industry follow the letter of the law, employ best practices and stay up-to-date when it comes to changing regulations. Whether managing large fleets within intermodal trucking companies or connecting freight and haulers internationally, you've got to keep learning to be successful in the intermodal freight business.

While intermodal carriers include air, maritime and intermodal trucking carriers, the trucking leg of intermodal transport is unique. It features three distinct areas of educational opportunity:

1. Learn all you need to know as an owner-operator to break into the intermodal trucking scene.

2. Arrange for the skills necessary to act as an intermodal freight agent, and get the certification to prove it.

3. Take advantage of intermodal motor carriers education and training opportunities for owners and employees of large intermodal operations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Run solo with self-employed intermodal carrier education

An independent intermodal trucking carrier is a pioneer in an ever-growing arena of intermodal trucking solutions. But, the lone road warrior doesn't have to be alone when it comes to staying abreast of industry news and rapidly changing standards. It takes an investment of time and finances, but motor carrier organizations and truck driver training companies offer individual training and education that enables independent drivers the security and protection of continued professional improvement.

I recommend: The Intermodal Freight Transportation Working Group of the US Department of Transporation provides listings of intermodal education opportunities. An independent intermodal motor carrier who is also a member of the National Private Truck Council (NTPC) can take advantage of the organization's Certified Transportation Professional training. Expand your horizons -- and your wallet -- with the ability to transport hazardous materials. Lion Technology offers a Hazardous Materials Transportation Certification for truckers, especially those carrying intermodal hazardous freight. For an industry overview, a multimodal training package includes maritime and air hazmat certification, as well.

Earn your certification to become an intermodal agent

Intermodal agents, brokers or forwarders connect businesses that need loads shipped with independent intermodal carriers or intermodal freight companies.

I recommend: Agents who want to expand their knowledge base and enhance their credibility can complete the Certified Transportation Broker Program through the Transportation Intermediaries Association, or broker certification training through the American Broker Academy.

Use your ties with a large intermodal freight company to advance your knowledge and career

Those who own or work for an intermodal trucking company have a unique training advantage: most of these companies offer continuing education as a condition of employment. Also, larger companies can afford to maintain memberships with professional organizations that offer a wealth of educational programming, seminars and other resources for intermodal operator, forwarder and logistics manager training.

I recommend: Intermodal freight companies that pay for membership within the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) can take advantage of the group's educational seminars and annual expo. The American Society of Transportation and Logistics offers national seminars specifically tailored for transportation logistics managers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The education and training you'll need as an intermodal freight carrier could include quite a bit of transportation logistics management. If your career path could include logistics management in the future, tailor your continuing education selections so that you can use them for management certification down the road.