Intermodal Freight Transportation

When we speak about international cargo shipping, it incorporates several freight transport types and global logistics services that enhance the process of cargo transportation and security provision.

Intermodal freight transport is a freight forwarding service that performs transportation with an intermodal container or vehicle by rail, ship or truck. The success of intermodal freight forwarding lies in the enhanced security, lower risk of cargo damage and loss. With an intermodal vehicle, cargo transportation is carried out faster and easier. This method of freight forwarding, especially when we deal with heavy cargo transportation, is characterized by reduced costs and less amount of greenhouse gas pollution.
Originally, intermodal transportation dates back to the 18th century, when people used shipping coal containers for cargo transportation on canals and railways. And it is only in the early 1900s when the first covered contained was invented and was designed for heavy cargo transportation to transport furniture and intermodal freight between road and railway.

Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine a consistent system of international cargo transportation without intermodal freight forwarding. In 1970 the International Organization for Standardization issued provisions, which regulated intermodal cargo transportations. Under the accepted regulations, intermodal containers were produced in accordance with the issued technical specifications.
Intermodal cargo transportation plays an important role in the global logistics services, since international cargo shipping has always been closely connected with transferring goods between rail, road and sea. In accordance with the European Commission Transportation Department, intermodal freight forwarding employs the highest possible security measures, including the use of steel banding and wood blocking. In order to prevent cargo from being damaged during transportation, freight forwards make use of fasteners and dunnage bags, which prove to fragile machinery items, equipment and vehicles. Over 25% of cargo is securely transported with the help of intermodal containers.