Intermodal transportation: the solution for competitive, environmentally-friendly logistics

Industries are facing ever more demanding challenges, whether in terms of competitiveness, the environment or the economy. Logistics is at the forefront of these challenges. It is expected to deliver faster, at lower cost and without polluting. To meet these criteria, the supply chain can already choose an efficient transport strategy. Among the options available, intermodal transportation offers an innovative and sustainable solution for optimizing supply chains and modifying freight rates. Let's take a closer look at why intermodal transportation is an interesting solution!

What is intermodal transportation?

Definition and key principles

Intermodal transportation is a method of combining several modes of transport. For example, road, then rail, then road again. In urban logistics, we can add cycling, but we imagine that doesn't apply to you. Intermodal transportation applies equally well to sea and air transport. It can be used for any distance, nationally or internationally. One of its fundamental principles is that there is no break in the load. In other words, the goods travel in an intermodal transport unit (ITU) - usually a container, swap body or trailer - and are never unloaded if the mode of transport needs to be changed. Only the transport unit is handled, the contents inside remain unchanged.

Why is intermodal transportation essential?

Intermodal transportation meets the major challenges of modern logistics. Faced with the changing needs of the supply chain, this method offers a response to a number of critical services, such as :

• Reducing the carbon footprint: by combining different types of mobility between different territories, we limit CO2 emissions. Each mode emits greenhouse gases by offsetting the emissions of the others.
• Greater flexibility: by taking advantage of the strengths of each mode of transport, intermodal transportation is agile and responsive. Companies can adapt their supply chain to changing mobility needs.
• Cost optimization: handling only UTIs considerably lightens the workload of handlers, reducing labor costs while speeding up loading and unloading activities. The use of rail or sea transport also contributes to lower transport costs, remaining economical modes of transport compared to road or air.
• Improved logistics performance: thanks to logistics hubs, companies can reduce waiting times and increase their competitiveness and service levels.

Intermodal players

Intermodal transportation relies not only on specific infrastructures and equipment, but also on precise coordination between the various players in the supply chain. These stakeholders include (among others):

• Carriers: they provide the physical transport of goods and are specialized in their mode (road, rail, sea, air).
• Logisticians and freight forwarders : they plan and coordinate the entire supply chain. They are the ones who can modify mobility patterns.
• Ports and multimodal hubs: they play a key role in switching from one mode of transport to another, as they have the necessary infrastructure and connections, such as rail sidings, private lanes before joining the national network, etc.
• Warehouse managers: who optimize the storage and transfer of intermodal units.
• Local authorities: who contribute to the financing of equipment and the development of infrastructure throughout France.

Intermodal, multimodal, piggyback and groupage: what are the differences?

Comparing transport modes

Which solution to choose and when to use it?

To choose the best mobility solution, keep these criteria in mind: type of freight, distance (lead times, CSR), cost.

• intermodal transportation: ideal for long-distance exchanges, requiring transitions between sea, rail and road, including customs formalities between territories. Suitable for bulky, fragile or hazardous goods.
• Multimodal: suitable for both simple and complex logistics chains, with variable volumes supporting quay crossings and handling, such as groupage.
• Piggybacking: an economical and environmentally-friendly solution, suitable for long-distance mobility, but with sometimes inaccessible infrastructures. Piggyback transportation is a good way of relieving congestion in areas saturated by heavy road traffic. Piggybacking accepts passengers, but only for complete sets with driver (e.g. Channel Tunnel).
• Groupage: interesting for shippers of small packaged volumes, who wish to optimize transport costs by sharing a loading space.
  
  

What are the advantages and challenges?

The benefits

For many services, intermodal transportation offers measurable benefits, both financial and operational. For example, costs can be significantly reduced, thanks to the combined use of economical modes (e.g. road + rail), lower fuel and toll costs, and less manpower. On the ecological side, intermodal transportation helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Taking rail transport as an example, it generates around 20 times less CO2 per tonne-kilometre than road transport alone.

intermodal transportation also makes freight more secure in several ways. Goods are not handled, since only the UTI is handled. Transport units, such as containers, are secured, sealed and watertight. Finally, intermodal transportation limits the use of road transport, which is more accident-prone than other modes of transport. It should be noted in passing that it also makes travellers safer.

Generally speaking, companies that use intermodal transportation reduce their dependence on a single mode of transport and gain in flexibility. This is what we call logistics resilience. These companies overcome logistical hazards with alternatives that mitigate disruption.

Challenges to overcome

intermodal transportation also has its own specific requirements. Companies wishing to use it face technical constraints that can easily be overcome with a well-defined code.

The first difficulty calls for excellent coordination between the various players. It will be necessary to adopt a sophisticated management approach to synchronize transitions between different types of collective mobility. If you're unfamiliar with this aspect, don't hesitate to entrust this service to a freight forwarder who masters the code.

Secondly, intermodal operations require heavy infrastructure and major investment. Logistics hubs dedicated to intermodal freight are equipped with industrial devices such as cranes and heavy-duty handling equipment. They own the transport units, and have access to rail networks, commercial ports, and so on.

Finally, the planning and traceability of flows can quickly become unmanageable if you don't equip yourself with the right digital tools. TMS (Transport Management Systems) perform these tasks with precision, while helping to secure shipments.

What role does a TMS play in managing intermodal transportation?

Why is a TMS essential?

A TMS (Transport Management System) is a logistics solution entirely dedicated to managing transport operations, whether collective or individual. Its functionalities simplify operations by optimizing each segment of the supply chain and providing global visibility of routing processes. It is particularly well-suited to managing intermodal transportation by :

• Centralizing information : planning routes, managing carriers, tracking shipments with a "track and trace" system;
• Automating processes: it reduces human intervention, ensuring virtually error-free operations, with productivity gains;
• Compares multimodal offers: it analyzes the costs, exchanges, lead times and environmental impact of the different options available, so you can make the best choice for your shipments.

Is Shiptify's TMS a good option?

Shiptify offers a comprehensive, intuitive TMS solution that features :

• A single interface to centralize all your carriers and manage all modes of transport by territory.
• Continuous tracking of your shipments across different modes, facilitating visibility at every stage of the supply chain.
• Comprehensive performance analysis with customized dashboards .
• Simple management of KPIs, including lead times, costs, CO2 emissions, etc.
• Integration with Ecotransit to estimate the environmental impact of journeys between different territories.

Shiptify's TMS operates in SaaS (Software as a Service) mode, offering continuous updates, freeing you from software maintenance. Designed for ETIs and large groups, Shiptify's TMS controls all transport operations, including dock logistics. From the request for quotation to the issue of the signed consignment note, the system manages every task, enabling you to make substantial gains in your supply chain.

FAQ: frequently asked questions about intermodal transportation

What is intermodal transportation?

intermodal transportation refers to the transport of goods using a combination of different modes of transport (road, rail, sea, air), without any break in the load.

What's the difference between intermodal transportation and multimodality?

Unlike multimodality, intermodal transportation does not involve a load break.

What are the main advantages of intermodal transportation?

intermodal transportation offers many advantages, such as cost optimization, reduced CO2 emissions, improved freight safety and logistics resilience, and greater flexibility.

How can a TMS help with intermodal transportation?

A TMS centralizes data, optimizes intermodal transport management, plans routes, compares offers, tracks goods, automates processes and analyzes performance.

Why choose Shiptify's TMS?

Shiptify's TMS offers a complete solution for managing intermodal transport, with shipment tracking, global visibility on shipments, performance analysis, integration of environmental indicators such as Ecotransit, and cost reduction.