​Advantages of Intermodal Shipping

Intermodal shipping allows you to deliver freight in a vehicle or an intermodal container using different modes of transportation such as trucks, railways, and barges. It is often used in the food and beverage industries to deliver wine and beer, frozen goods and fresh produce to another location. Intermodal shipping offers the benefits of both rail and truck shipping for better efficiency.

Barges or trucks move the goods between the rail terminals and the drop-off point of the cargo. Rail can help companies save a significant amount of fuel as railroad cars can carry freight over long distances. Intermodal shipping can also handle the increase in demands better than other forms of delivery due to its improved reliability and speed. Since the general public doesn’t have easy access to container ports and rail yards, intermodal shipping offers increased security to shippers. There are a lot of reasons why you should go for intermodal transportation and here are just some of them. ​

​Affordable
Intermodal shipping is a more affordable way of moving goods to another place. It’s cheaper than depending entirely on long-haul trucking. The majority of the miles for an intermodal delivery will be given to a train, which is more affordable than over the road trucking. 

Convenient 
One of the best things about intermodal shipping is it is very convenient. It opens up other modes of transportation that are more readily accessible, keeping trucking services to a minimum. Trucking may still be part of intermodal shipping, but it is easier to locate a truck driver to drive a short distance than look for someone who will offer long-haul services. 

Eco-friendly 
Compared to long-haul trucking, intermodal shipping is friendlier to the environment as a large number of containers are delivered together using the most efficient forms of transportation. You will not only be able to ship your goods but also do your part in protecting the environment. 

Reduced Risk 
Since the cargo is delivered directly to the drop-off location, the risk of damaging the items is lower. If you have to deliver fragile items, intermodal shipping is one of your best options.  You will not only be able to save money, but also avoid damaging your products and paying extra costs. 

Delivery time may take a bit longer, but a logistics provider can help you prepare in advance and accommodate the extra time in your schedule. If you are always waiting for a long-haul trucking service to become available and you are tired of shipping delays, you may find that intermodal shipping is faster than the shipping solution you are using right now. 
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If the distance between the pickup point and drop-off place is over 700 miles, you may want to go for intermodal shipping. This mode of transportation can help you save money and avoid product damage. Intermodal shipping is a greener, more affordable and safer transportation method with predictable schedules.