Intermodal Motor Carriers Key Terms

Some key terms for intermodal motor carriers
By J. Stoltzfus, writer/programmer LOCAL CITIZEN Intermodal carrying is pretty much what it sounds like. In intermodal transport, cargo is hauled with more than one vehicle. It's a mix of air, sea, rail and highway that can be adjusted to fit the needs of any travel trajectory. As such, intermodal transport represents the future for many businesses. Many professionals are paying attention to how this kind of transport solution can help their company's bottom line. Knowing about some of the common key terms involved will help business leaders figure out how to get intermodal solutions for their trips.

Container shipping

Container shipping is a common way of getting cargo from point A to point B, especially in international and intermodal carrier options. It consists of shipping freight within a steel container.
Try:  See more on container shipping for a range of items at Shipping International.

Broker

Many buyers and seller of large items that use intermodal carrying also rely on a broker. A broker is a party that can easily take care of the sales of heavy gear or the shipping of freight despite complex international regulations.
Try:  See an example of an international auto and freight broker at OHL.

Carbon footprint

A large factor in choosing intermodal freight solutions is the carbon footprint. Carbon footprint is the term for how much energy gets generated in a specific event. Lots of shippers are looking carefully at the carbon footprint of each shipping service including intermodal options.
Try:  See more on the carbon footprint of intermodal shipping at "Show Me the Green" from DC Velocity.

Safe Container Transport Act

The Safe Container Transport Act is a regulation designed to provide a standard for shipping heavy items like vehicles. Shippers need to pay attention to this fairly new law in designing intermodal shipping arrangements.
Try:  See more on the Safe Container Transport Act at this page from Genex.

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 is a piece of legislation that also has an effect on intermodal transit by attempting to identify the best practices for American transportation.
Try:  See more on the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 at this info page from the National Transportation Library.

Intermodal shipping software

In the complex process of using more than one transit medium for cargo, including vehicles, software aids planners in making sure that the hauling is being undertaken in the most efficient way.
Try:  See an example of intermodal shipping software at Profit Tools.