Intermodal transport - is the transportation of cargo in special containers or road vehicles.If there is a need to change media types when moving cargo, it is not processed.This improves safety and reduces losses and damages, as well as significantly reduce the time spent on transportation.
Intermodal transport can reduce the costs of moving goods on the inland routes.A further advantage is the ability to use their vehicle for short distances.
Intermodal and multimodal transportation - what's the difference?
multimodal transportation of cargo moved by different modes of transport and several carriers.It is necessary to prepare several sets of accompanying documentation.Almost all of today's transportation between the continents are multimodal.
Intermodal transport involves the movement of goods using several types of vehicles, but the responsibility for the cargo lies with the companies and issued one contract transaction.
Historical information
on intermodal transport for the first time became known in the 18th century, even before they were built the first railways.In 1780, it documented fact of coal transportation in containers in the UK.In the 20th century it was invented first containers closed.As a rule, they were used to transport furniture and used for transportation by car and by rail.
In 1920 the first standards have been adopted for the production of containers.They have dimensions of 1.5 or 3 meters.That is, by modern standards, were quite small.For their production used mainly wood and they have a curved roof.During World War II, the United States first became widely used pallets, that is, the opportunity to quickly move goods between warehouses, cars, ships and so on.It is possible to considerably reduce labor costs for the intermediate handling and, therefore, reduce the number of personnel.
Freight
Intermodal transport requires the construction of specialized lifting equipment to move containers between transport used.If the goods are transported using the shipping lines, it requires the construction of the entire infrastructure for its service: handling mechanisms, deep-water ports.
Intermodal transport within the continent is mainly carried out by road or by rail.In some countries, the containers are loaded on trucks on two levels, thus reducing transportation costs.
in intermodal transport use a term such as "land bridge" if a large part of the route lies within the territory of the continent and lies between the maritime areas.In this area mainly used rail.
