Combined transport

WHY USE COMBINED TRANSPORT??

Intermodal transport consists in the use of various means of transport in order to optimize costs and delivery time. Thanks to the use of appropriate solutions, the goods can be easily moved from a truck to a ship or a train. Check how exactly combined transport works, what advantages it has and why it is worth using.

What is combined transport?

Combining different methods of transport makes it possible to increase the competitiveness of transport and logistics companies. They can transport larger quantities of products at the same time, which has a positive effect on the costs of such a solution. At the same time, combined transport allows you to pick up and deliver goods directly to the customer’s door.

The definition of combined transport is freight transport using more than one mode of transport. This means that the use of only the train and the ship is also subject to intermodal transport. However, it is much more common for products to end up on trucks. They can go anywhere.

According to European Directive 92/106 / EEC, the most environmentally friendly transport is transport with the help of railways, ships or inland navigation. However, road transport should only be used to cover the first and last section of the route (collection and delivery to the customer). The length of the road section should not exceed 100 km in the case of railways and 150 km in the case of a connection with sea transport.

Examples of combined transport

Examples of combined transport can be counted in thousands. Most often, the goods are picked up from the starting point with the help of a truck and transported to the transfer point. There the cargo is loaded onto a train or ship and thus covers the greatest part of the route. Near its destination, it is reloaded onto a truck to reach the customer’s warehouse.

An example is the transport of products from Poland to the United States. At the factory, ready-made elements are packed in a container adapted for easy reloading. This container is packed on a truck that goes to the nearest freight railway station. There, dozens of such goods are packed on a train that can economically reach the seaport in Gdańsk. The containers are then loaded onto a large transport vessel.

After reaching the shores of North America, the goods are repackaged on a train that travels large spaces to a specific state. There it is unloaded and the products are packed on the truck again to reach the customer’s warehouse.

Advantages of combined transport

Does it make sense to constantly reload goods from one means of transport to another? Of course. The most important advantages of this solution include:

• reducing environmental pollution. An electric train produces much less harmful gases than a dozen trucks,
• increasing the efficiency of using available vehicles. Tractor units are suitable mainly for short journeys, mainly due to the limited capacity,
• flexibility in the organization of services,
• lower transport costs thanks to the use of more economical means of transport,
• reducing the number of transhipments thanks to the use of special transport containers,
• less dependence and overcrowding of the road network. Too many trucks on the routes cause congestion and delays in transport – especially in transit, stretching through many third countries.

As a result, the use of combined forwarding allows for savings, increased competitiveness and causes less damage to the environment.

Types of transport using different modes of transport

The use of several modes of transport to deliver goods is increasingly encountered mainly for economic reasons. Many types of this type of service have been developed. Each of them has specific possibilities and advantages. Which one is the most beneficial? Much depends on the goods and the route to be covered.

We work with any method of transport

Regardless of the mode of transport, goods crossing the border must be customs cleared. However, not all customs agencies deal with sea or rail transport. On the other hand, agents specialized in sea freight do not advise on road transport.

Embetim customs agency specializes in all means of transport. Our agents have knowledge of the current regulations regarding customs procedures used in land, sea, inland and rail transport.

We are also very familiar with the latest changes in the customs law that took place in the UK after Brexit. Thanks to this, we offer the widest services available on the market today. If you deal with international transport or you frequently import or export goods, it is worth starting cooperation with a competent customs agency, which is undoubtedly Embetim. Call us and check for yourself what we can suggest. We are happy to help you organize reliable and fast international transport.

The most commonly used connections for transporting goods

Due to the fact that the first and last section of the route is most often covered by road, goods are most often reloaded from trucks to trains or river or sea ships. Airplanes are very rarely used in combined transport, mainly due to the high cost of transport. However, in some cases, when fast transportation is needed, it is the main mode of transportation.

In the case of large land countries, such as China or Russia, goods are transferred onto ships. In the case of European countries, however, it is more often trucks that deliver cargo directly to sea or inland ports.