Ontario Container Transport Shipping Goods around the World | Page 11

Intermodal Transport
For many companies and especially those with a global supply-chain no single form of
transportation will be sufficient. As a result companies are often looking for an intermodal
freight transport service. Intermodal transport involves the movement of freight using multiple
modes of transportation (e.g., rail, ship, and truck). However the key to this is that it takes place
without any handling of the freight itself when changing from rail to truck to even to sea or air.
As a result many haulage and shipping companies now offer intermodal transport that will
calculate and determine using all types of transportation, road, sea, rail and air and select the
best route available. However for intermodal transport to work there needs to be a common
container that can be easily moved from a truck to a plane, train or even a ship.
The change of transportation and environment or the prolonged confinement may be adverse to
the health of the goods being transported. For sensitive and perishable goods there are
containers that are especially designed for such needs. For example reefer containers are
temperature controlled and have 3 separate compartments each with their own temperature
settings. There are also ventilated containers that protect the cargo from the elements but keep
humidity under control by allowing a flow of air through the container. This prevents
perishable goods from being damaged. Intermodal transportation does resolve many of the
issues that small businesses have to deal with when dealing with overseas shipping. However
there are others.