Multimodal transport has no distance limitations, can be used nationally and internationally and does not require the signing of more than one contract.
Multimodal transport is an articulated system for transferring elements (different types of goods) through different means of transport . This modality requires the implementation of solid and well-prepared logistics so that the products, from the moment of packaging until reaching the delivery or distribution point, are kept in excellent conditions.
This is a procedure that can be carried out at a national level or transcend borders and acquire an international character. In this framework, not only do units of a certain type intervene (which could be some land transport service, maritime transport , air transport , river transport , etc.) but it is also possible to affect more than one vehicle of the same class and multiple vehicles are allowed. units of measurement .
It is important to know, to avoid confusion and to be clear about each expression or notion associated with this topic, that multimodal transport and intermodal transport are essentially similar and provide numerous advantages in terms of costs, times and other factors, but they are not identical. Believing that both concepts are synonymous is a mistake.
From the theory that is transferred to practice, it emerges that the multimodal requires a single transport contract to be implemented, while the intermodal system involves more than one. Likewise, intermodal transport is limited to admitting one transport measure at a time. In this regard, it is interesting to note that there are standardized units (known as UTIs or intermodal cargo units ) that range from the use of a container to trucks, swap bodies or semi-trailers. In order to transfer UTIs from one type of transport to another in an appropriate environment, there is more than one specially conditioned physical space that is called an intermodal terminal .
Infrastructure necessary for multimodal transportation
In order to carry out the multimodal transport option, it is essential to have the necessary infrastructure for this purpose and to have logistics nodes.
In addition to accessing intermodal terminals, it is essential to have, at a minimum, some transportation network , a logistics platform and a distribution center .
The process, when completed successfully, will require access to a port , an airport or a train station , for example.
The instance of manipulation is no less transcendent. Loading and unloading equipment ( forklifts , cranes ) and personnel assigned to packaging , labeling and palletizing must be in optimal conditions.
Of course, all those who in one way or another are affected by the multimodal transport mechanism have to know what the current transport regulations are like, what international regulations govern and what transport documentation is vital. Attached to the contract (demonstrated or declared in a Bill of Lading ) appears, to indicate a specific reference, a document called bill of lading .
Multimodal transport allows products or different types of merchandise to be transported by combining land, air and sea routes.
Types of transport
The multimodal modality takes advantage of the benefits and scope of a wide variety of types of transportation .
Depending on the needs and particularities of each transfer, the organization and choice of units may alternate between land transport (which, in turn, can be road transport or rail transport ), pipeline transport , air transport , river transport and maritime transport .
In logistics, it is convenient to take advantage of technological resources and design strategies aimed at reducing transit times and saving transportation costs , for example. Great allies in this area are tracking technologies , GPS location , geographic information systems (GIS) , artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), to name, broadly speaking, several modern alternatives.
Looking to the future, there is a need to evaluate transformations that generate a more planet-friendly work dynamic. In pursuit of sustainability and avant-garde trends, options gain visibility for which it is worth investing if the idea is to evolve and be competitive. Electric vehicles , alternative fuels and transport drones will soon make their way into the multimodal transport segment. For this reason, it is advisable to discover these issues, knowing their characteristics and organizing the terrain to welcome cutting-edge elements that promise to favorably revolutionize supply chain management , productive development and many other areas where the transfer of products comes into play.
A container can be cargo transported by plane and other types of transport to bring goods from different companies or clients to the destination point.
Agents and operators linked to multimodal transport
Among the prominent players in multimodal transport there are different profiles of agents and operators , some of which we will list below.
In this context, the multimodal transport operator (OTM) is essential since it is in charge of planning , coordinating and managing the entire chain, selecting the type of transport that will be affected by the transfer of a certain merchandise.
Logistics operators , freight agents and providers classified as freight consolidators are also useful and necessary.