Multimodal and Intermodal Transportation
The choice of a transportation method is always a difficult task for both travelers and business people. Some people get into challenges, especially when they have to choose between multimodal and intermodal means of transport. Several factors come into play when an individual has to decide on the route or the technique to use for transportation. Also, a combination of transport methods is possible, and the decision on the best method to use differs among individuals. Some individuals will go for a method for convenience in terms of safety, while others will choose the most cost-effective. The terms intermodal and multimodal transport methods make sense when individuals have to transact on long-distance transport such as those involving shipment of goods. Although one may decide to use either of the methods or a combination, the logistics involved in each of the methods is a primary consideration when choosing a transportation method. Understanding the difference between multimodal and intermodal methods of transportation is crucial in avoiding misunderstandings that may happen while making choices.
Multimodal and intermodal methods of transportation involve the use of two or more carriers in a single transport journey. In the context of shipment, intermodal transport consists of employing the use of intermodal containers to move goods from the shipper to the consignee (Kubanova & Schmidt, 2016). Similarly, the multimodal method involves the movement of goods from the shipper to the consignee using multiple carriers. The carriers in both methods have to be more than one, so that the definition can remain significant. The definition of both methods appears similar for the most vital part, with the difference coming in terms of the contracting of the carriers.
The first difference between intermodal and multimodal methods of transporting is the type of contracting for the carriers. Both methods involve the use of more than one carrier throughout the entire transportation journey (Dua & Sinha, 2019). The intermodal method involves the use of more than one carrier with the contract of transport happening between more than one contracting company. The contracts associated with the intermodal method are defined with the service offered. For example, one company is contracted to carry out freight services in the ocean. Then, another one or more companies are contracted to offer trucking services after the landing of goods.
Moreover, another company is contracted for rail services. Generally, every contracting company in intermodal transport provides a distinct landing bill. On the other hand, a single contract is made in the multimodal method of transport. After the end of transport in the multimodal method, the contractor issues a combined bill of landing, unlike in the intermodal method.
The advantages associated with intermodal and multimodal methods are a basis for consideration in making transport decisions. First, the multimodal method allows a transporter to hold one carrier liable for the safety of the goods in transit (Newton, 2017). Also, one contracting company requires fewer logistics, and thus, less labor is required in dealing with the multimodal method. Generally, the delivery requirements are accounted for by a single entity, and thus, quality is easily maintained for the services offered. On the other side, the intermodal transport method has several advantages that make people choose it over the multimodal method. First, transport is presented with a chance to choose between carriers depending on prices. Secondly, the transport process can be stopped at any point when a need arises. Also, the intermodal method is flexible in terms of the choice of equipment and space. However, the advantage impresses people differently and impacts the choice of the method to use for transport.
The concept of multimodal and intermodal is defined efficiently when landlocked sites are involved. The requirements before choosing any method of transport are that the final objective of delivering the goods to the desired destination is achieved (Kelle et al. 2019). In the beginning, the consignee may not be interested in the logistics that will take place between the departure and the destination of the goods. However, the fact that high costs are incurred makes the consignee considerate concerning the method to choose. For the intermodal method, a landlocked destination will require that contracts are given to different companies depending on the stage of the transportation process. The goods will be transported through the water for the first part of the journey; however, the last part of the transportation process involves transportation through the land. The intermodal method requires that the contract on trucking services or rail services be given to another company. The multimodal transport method on the other side requires that one contract is given to a single entity to remain accountable for the goods from the departure point until they reach the consignee.
Multimodal and intermodal methods are similar in most aspects. People always get challenged in deciding on which method to use. Since both methods are efficient, clients always go for the one that provides cost efficiency at the time of making the decision (Crainic, Perboli & Rosano, 2018). Generally, the advantages of one method over the other cancel out due to the challenges associated with each method. For example, the multimodal method is simple, owing to the few logistic requirements associated with the method. The fact that the contracting is done between a single entity means that paperwork is minimized, and processes are made short. However, the multimodal method does not offer flexibility like the intermodal method. In the intermodal method, clients can stop the transport process midway. Also, the contract terms can be changed either by termination or choosing another company where an entity fails in its duty. Therefore, multimodal is efficient for clients who do not like complex processes and do not worry about the flexibility of terms. On the other side, the intermodal method is efficient for clients who are critical about the ability of a single entity to provide quality services.
Every mode of transport is associated with a set of disadvantages that tend to turn away clients from choosing the method. The disadvantages come as a result of the advantages that clients seek when choosing a particular mode of transport (Ertem, İşbilir & Arslan, 2017). The intermodal method, for example, is associated with several disadvantages despite being the choice for cost-sensitive clients. One of the disadvantages of the intermodal method is the lack of speed in the transport of goods. The decision to use the intermodal method is only effective for clients whose goods are not urgently needed at their destinations. Generally, the intermodal method trades speed for cost-effectiveness. The processes involved in the method are time-consuming and risky at the same time. Also, the issue of reliability comes up when using the intermodal method of transport. Goods go through several stages before reaching the consignee. The risk of loss or damage of goods grows every time a new entity is involved in the process. Also, the involvement of several contracting companies makes the delivery of the goods less reliable. Moreover, the multimodal method is also associated with several disadvantages.
The multimodal transport is associated with several disadvantages. First, the employment sector is not an advocate for multimodal transport. Generally, transport systems are expensive to maintain, and several attempts are made to improve productivity (Lämmel, Chraibi, Wagoum & Steffen, 2016). Multimodal transport systems employ unfriendly strategies to enable them to stay in business. For example, the computerization of activities leads to the loss of jobs for most people in the industry. Although the excuse for automation of services is that it is time-saving, justification is not given for the loss of employment. Also, the combination of different modes of transport may work to the disadvantage of the clients. Every mode of transport is associated with various weaknesses. When the modes are combined, the weaknesses are combined, and the clients are the immediate victims. Also, the system overlooks the impact of the various attempts to mitigate the risk associated with the system. Therefore, clients end up getting lower quality services when the transport system is used.
In sum, understanding the difference between multimodal and intermodal methods of transportation is crucial in avoiding misunderstandings that may happen, while making choices. The definition of both methods appears similar for the most significant part, with the difference coming in terms of the contracting of the carriers. The requirements before choosing any method of transport are that the final objective of delivering the goods to the desired destination is achieved. The intermodal and multimodal systems are, however, associated with several disadvantages that turn clients away. Generally, the choice of a transport system depends on the client’s taste and ability to take a risk.
References
Crainic, T. G., Perboli, G., & Rosano, M. (2018). Simulation of intermodal freight transportation systems: a taxonomy. European Journal of Operational Research, 270(2), 401-418.
Dua, A., & Sinha, D. (2019). Quality of multimodal freight transportation: a systematic literature review. World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 8(2), 167-194.
Ertem, M. A., İşbilir, M., & Arslan, A. Ş. (2017). Review of intermodal freight transportation in humanitarian logistics. European Transport Research Review, 9(1), 10.
Kelle, P., Song, J., Jin, M., Schneider, H., & Claypool, C. (2019). Evaluation of operational and environmental sustainability tradeoffs in multimodal freight transportation planning. International Journal of Production Economics, 209, 411-420.
Kubanova, J., & Schmidt, C. (2016). Multimodal and intermodal transportation systems. Communications-Scientific letters of the University of Zilina, 18(2), 104-108.
Lämmel, G., Chraibi, M., Wagoum, A. U. K., & Steffen, B. (2016). Hybrid multimodal and intermodal transport simulation: Case study on large-scale evacuation planning. Transportation Research Record, 2561(1), 1-8.
Newton, A. (2017). Multimodal transport security: Frameworks and policy applications in freight and passenger transport.