What is Multimodal and Intermodal Shipping

First, let’s begin with some definitions:

Multimodal: Multimodal transport (otherwise called joined transport) is the transportation of products under a solitary contract, yet performed with no less than two distinct methods for transport; the transporter is legally responsible for the whole carriage, despite the fact that it is performed by a few different methods of transport (by train, sea and road, for instance). The carrier doesn’t need to have all the channels of transport; the carriage is every so often performed by sub-carriers (also known as “Actual carriers”). The shipper accountable for the entire carriage is stated as a multimodal transport operator ( MTO).

Intermodal: Intermodal freight transport includes the transportation of cargo in an intermodal vehicle or container, utilizing various methods of transportation (train, ship, and truck), without any management of the cargo itself when changing methods. This process eases cargo handling, thus enhances security, lessens damage and loss, and allows cargo to be transported sooner. Reduced expenses over road trucking are the main advantage for inter-continental use.

Difference Between both modes

The real contrast among Multimodal and Intermodal is the number of agreements the shipper has with different service providers.

In a Multimodal Freight, the shipper has one agreement of carriage, which covers all methods of transport from starting point to a destination. This connects to one shipper for one voyage. This contract of transport is with one carrier, regardless of whether that is a steamship line or international air cargo forwarder. The steamship line or international freight forwarder hands out a Combined Transport Bill of Lading or a Multimodal Bill of Lading.

Benefits: 

•  The transporter can hold the one carrier legally responsible for movement
•  Can get tracking and tracing updates from one carrier
• Efficiency in carriage times can be met.
  

In an Intermodal Freight, the transporter has several contracts, one with a freight forwarder/ocean carrier, another with a truck driver or truck and rail transporter in origin country and another with a truck driver or trucker and trail transporter in the destination country. The shipper issues Docks to Docks Bill of Lading. Every single additional carrier engaged in the freight gives their own shipping document, for example, Rail to the shipper or Bill of Lading for Domestic Transport.

Benefits: 

•   The talent to select your own carriers depends on cost or service for each stage of the shipment
• The capability to stop the shipment at one point for any reason since you manages every stage
• More swiftness on carrier selection if there are gear or space problems with carriers
  

Multimodal vs. Intermodal- Which to choose

The decision of why you pick one mode versus another relies upon a few factors, for example, regardless of whether the shipper needs to have various autonomous contracts with multiple carriers, the aggregate cost distinction between the two choices, how it influences stock turns and costs, the time savings concerned with every mode for both transportation of the freight and managerial coordination, the ecological impact of one approach over another, and how it adjusts or influences the paperwork involved in the delivery. Use SEA PRINCE for better air freight rates in Dubai.

Why choose Airfreight over Sea or Land Freight?

Among many different modes of transport, one of the known and highly used mediums is the transportation of goods by air. This is the fastest mode which is primarily used for shipment of the items with higher values and lesser volumes. There are many reasons why this mode is given a priority on its other counterparts, let’s state a few of those and figure out will you prefer them on other options?
1.    Need for speed
From the three most common methods being air, sea and land freight, air freight is no doubt the fastest method. It is an obvious fact. If you are looking forward to a service which will cater your need for speed and deliver your shipment in the shortest period, you need to cargo it by air. Same as if you want to go from one part of the country to another, you are most likely to take a flight even if it is a little expensive because it will compensate as we know time is money.
2.    No delays: fixed arrival and departure schedules
This is another big reason why you should use air freight services; the reliable time schedules. The arrival and departure time schedules of flights are highly reliable and are mostly on time. It is not affordable for airlines to delay their flights. And even if you miss a flight, you would find another very soon, since there are flights taking off every hour.
3.    Easy Tracking
With air flights, you can track your shipments’ status. Almost every airline puts a schedule of their flights on their websites, you can check whether the flight has taken off or landed. You can even check, when exactly will the plane land? But with land and sea, it is not so easy to do that.
4.    Global transportation services
Every reason looks like the biggest reason you should choose air freight services, well this is one of those too. With air cargo, you do not have to worry about the destination. Your shipment will surely reach the exact destination. Even in the worst scenario, it is going to reach the closest point. Many airlines cover almost the entire world, which basically means you can send your consignment to every part of the world. With sea freight, this is not possible as it leaves many countries with no contact with the sea, out. But air cargo seems to do many things, others can’t. It opens doors to most parts of the world, resulting in more customers worldwide.
5.    Highly Secure:
Now this here is a serious business, air cargo is often chosen by customers who need to ship high-value shipments and items. Air cargo is a highly managed service, the risks of losing or damaging an item are very less. The tight security at the airport reduces the exposure of the shipment to theft and breakage.
Sea Prince Clearing & Shipping CO. will help you in transporting your shipments via the matchless air freight services at competitive prices.