The economy of a country has become more global than before due to the development of technology. It has become usual for companies to ship their products across international borders. Though the internet provides instant communication, the physical transportation of goods is necessary to get the products to the end customer. This is the place where intermodal transit comes in. In brief, Intermodal transit can increase the efficiency of transporting goods to a long distance as the intermodal containers are well suited for transporting by ground, sea, or air.
When we use multiple modes of transportation for a single container, then it is called intermodal transportation. Meanwhile, a company?s efficiency increases with its maximum potential in intermodal transportation which has become a necessity for modern transportation businesses.
In simpler terms, the company that provides intermodal services is known as an Intermodal Transport Company and it plays a vital role in the efficiency and success of any supply chain.?
Steps in implementing Intermodal services in logistics
1. Research and Evaluation of potential providers
There are numerous intermodal service providers in the market. Asset and non-asset intermodal providers are different in their approach and resources. The key to the research and evaluation phase is to gather more information as much as possible. There are many intermodal services providing companies like LTL Freight Company.
2. Perform freight analysis of intermodal providers
There are a few people within an organization who has a vast knowledge of intermodal services. Those resources must be accessed during this multimodal analysis phase. This is not like a pricing comparison between service providers. But the company should analyse the dock operation and equipment requirements at both source and the destination. The output of this phase lays the foundation for lanes, which will be used by the company for intermodal transportation.
3. Obtaining pricing and transits
This step is like revisiting the vision of success they had for themselves and the company from the beginning.
4. Implementation of intermodal solutions
After completing the freight analysis, shippers may get excited with the potential of saving. The best suggestion is to fight this urge and to work with the selected intermodal provider.
5. Evaluating the outcome
With the implementation of intermodal plans, this would be the time to assess the initial definition of success. Following this, make some tweaks and continue to add additional lanes until the full plan is executed.
What is a Freight Forwarding Company ?
A freight forwarding Company, also known as forwarder freight, is a company which organizes shipments as well as goods for people and corporations for getting their products to their customers. Freight forwarders are specialists in lowering the costs and logistics facilitation of transportation.
Benefits of intermodal transport
1. Cost-saving
If any company is thinking of shipping freight to a long-distance, they should consider intermodal transportation. When the range becomes longer, the opportunity to save money increases. Companies can choose from a variety of multimodal transport locations and select the one that best suits their needs.
2. Increase the safety of a shipment
These companies significantly use railroads for the active transportation of goods. Railroad transportation is more economical than road trucking services. Railroad transportation is safer and is trusted to carry any hazardous materials.
3. Environment friendly
Businesses can decrease the carbon footprint through the usage of intermodal transportation. Transporting one ton of freight by rail will reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 83%. Rail transportation is proven to be an environment-friendly option for companies that use intermodal transport. Intermodal shipping is considered as a brilliant resource for shipments of a company.
What is the Freight Forwarder?s Purpose?
A freight forwarder acts as a middleman in between the shipper and the distribution?s terminal point. The freight forwarder does not move the freight by themselves. Instead, they make arrangements for transportation services such as cargo ships, road transport, and air freight.
A freight forwarder utilizes its relationship with freight carriers such as air freighters, truck companies, and cargo ships to create the best way and best economics to transport your goods along various trade routes by multiple biddings. They then choose the carrier that best optimizes cost, reliability, and cost.
How Do These Companies Work?
Businesses which are involved in international transport will most likely prefer freight forwarding, but this can be the best method of transportation for personal uses too. These companies facilitate the shipments to its destination through various sources. Hiring the services offered by a freight forwarder is advantageous to your business.
They help you in transporting your products to your customer. They ensure the timely delivery of your goods in good condition. Primary services that are offered by a freight forwarding company can include,
- Customs clearance
- Packaging
- Insurance
- International export and import documentation
- Managing the inventory
- Storage of goods.
Choosing a Reliable Freight Forwarder
Are you thinking of hiring a Freight Forwarding Company? Make sure that you choose a well-established and reliable freight forwarder. This may assure you that they have a good experience in the business and contacts of functional networks. Experienced freight forwarders can solve any issues in transporting your goods quickly and efficiently. Ongoing development in intermodal infrastructure, along with continuous advancement of technology, have made freight carriage more efficient. Intermodal transportation eases the shipment of goods from a company to its end customer.
