Intermodal Shipping Everything You Need to Know

1. Intermodal Shipping: Everything You Need to Know There are many freight shipping options to ship your cargo but if you are not aware of all these you are likely to choose over the road trucking (OTR), which is the preferred means of shipping goods domestically. While trucking can be your go to mode for a lot of reasons, you should know about intermodal shipping which comes with benefits of its own. Here, we will introduce you to intermodal shipping: What is Intermodal shipping? As the name suggests, Intermodal shipping is the transportation method where multiple modes are involved. In other words, it could be any combination of ocean, rail, truck and air; your cargo may first be transported via truck and then via sea or initially via truck and then via rail. Benefits of Intermodal shipping and the packaging needed There are many benefits of intermodal shipping but these often get overlooked and shippers usually tend to opt for truckload and less than truckload (LTL). When you choose intermodal shipping where the cargo travels a long distance via rail, the amount of fuel burnt is less as compared to truck transport which means there is lower fuel cost and a positive impact on environment. Moreover, unlike trucking, transport via rail does not come with obstacles like road construction and other roadway congestion and so this is more seamless means which saves time. Now that the rail system is also continuously evolving in the United States, Canada and Mexico, transporting via rail is becoming all the more favorable. The container in which the shipment is packed remains constant; the same container is moved from truck to rail, then back to truck. All this movement can take a toll on the cargo which is why it is necessary to package your goods with care. The packing should be such

2. that there is less movement inside the container and for this you can use filler products and prevent the freight from moving too much. The cargo should remain secure and reach the destination intact. When you should opt for intermodal shipping? Intermodal shipping is good for you under the following circumstances: When shipping intermediate and finished goods in load units less than 25 tons. When the shipment needs to travel longer. For instance, if the cargo needs to cover a distance of 300 miles or travel more than a day then intermodal transportation is the best option. When goods with intermediate value needs to be transported. Intermodal is not an ideal mode for the transportation of high valued goods which need to be via most direct methods, such as air cargo or ocean. So this was all that you should know about intermodal shipping. Other than this, if you want to gain an insight into this mode of shipping, you should speak with an experienced freight forwarder who can tell you all in detail about it.