The most transportation aspect of intermodalism is not the equipment, but the operating and management issues. Traditionally, a carrier operated as an independent company. The shipping company worried about shipping, the trucking company worried about trucking, and so on. Intermodalism requires the coordination of multiple carriers. Sometimes these are the same company, but usually they are independent or at least different subsidiaries in the same company.
Why is this important? Intermodalism requires cooperation and coordination among a variety group of companies on a level that is seldom seen in other industries. We know how difficult can be to run any organization. Running an organization in close cooperation with many others, to the point where every one of hundreds of shipments needs to be coordinated, is quite a task. Also, the different companies are often very different in organization, structure, and culture.
What are intermodal companies? Sometimes they are asset-based carriers, such as a shipping company that expands into providing intermodal service. This is common for containerized shipping companies, which are mostly carrying cargo that would only move intermodally. Railroad and trucking companies sometimes provide intermodal service, but it is not so critical for them. Then there are companies that do not control any assets, but only provide intermodal services. They coordinate shipments between the other carriers. Sometimes this is done by buying up space on the other carriers at a wholesale rate.
One distinctive thing about intermodal carriers is their advance information system. They need to process a lot of information, under time pressure and in coordination with other carriers. This means that information systems tend to be exceptionally important.
Trucking, rail and to a lesser extent inland shipping are important to intermodal shipments. However, many international shipments go overland that are not intermodal, or they may be containerized but only use one mode of transport. The overland transport is used to link the line haul, such as ocean ship, to the origin or destination.
One distinctive thing about intermodal carriers is their advance information system. They need to process a lot of information, under time pressure and in coordination with other carriers. This means that information systems tend to be exceptionally important.
Trucking, rail and to a lesser extent inland shipping are important to intermodal shipments. However, many international shipments go overland that are not intermodal, or they may be containerized but only use one mode of transport. The overland transport is used to link the line haul, such as ocean ship, to the origin or destination.
The Intermodal Move
How exactly does an intermodal shipment work? The shipper decides what size container is needed, and orders it from the carrier. A container is delivered to the customer’s location, and left there for a designated amount of time to be loaded (usually around 24 hours). The container is most likely brought on truck, but very large shippers may have their own rail head where containers are picked straight off train.
The truck (or train) comes back at the appointed time and takes the container away. It then goes on its journey. At the final destination, it is usually delivered to a building (again, usually by truck but some facilities have their own train platforms), where it is left for a designated amount of time to be unloaded. The container is later picked up and taken to its next customer.
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