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Intermodal Motor Carriers Basics

Set up the best intermodal trucking solutions for your business

By R.N. Dolgener, Special Education Teacher
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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

  • 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.

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