Are you in the process of shipping goods and trying to determine the best way to get them from Point A to Point B? If so, you may have come across the term “intermodal shipping” and are wondering what it is and how it works?
INSTANT QUOTE
Businesses that need to ship large quantities of goods over long distances often choose intermodal shipping services. For example, e-commerce businesses send products from factories to warehouses and then from warehouses to customersโ doorsteps. Intermodal shipping services manage this process more efficiently. That’s why it has become popular for businesses that want to ship goods across the country.
But what exactly is intermodal shipping, and how does it work? This blog post will answer those questions and provide an overview of this shipping process.
What Is Intermodal Shipping?
This type of shipping is the process of transporting goods using multiple modes of transportation, such as trucks, trains, and ships. This type of shipping is also sometimes referred to as “multimodal” shipping.
Businesses such as e-Commerce companies and manufacturers often choose intermodal shipping services to transport their goods because it is more efficient than a single mode of transportation.
The reason is that intermodal shipping services can provide a door-to-door service, so businesses donโt have to worry about coordinating multiple shipments. This will allow them to save time and money.
How Does Intermodal Shipping Work?
Intermodal shipping is a process that uses multiple modes of transportation to move goods from one place to another. The goods are typically loaded onto a truck or rail car at one point and then transferred to a different mode of transportation at another point. This allows goods to be transported more efficiently and cost-effectively than if they were moved using only a single mode of transportation.
To give you a more detailed evaluation of how intermodal shipping works, here are the steps involved in this shipping process:
Pick Up
First, the shipping company will pick up the goods from the customerโs location. The shipping company will load the goods onto a truck or train (depending on the chosen intermodal shipping service).
The different intermodal shipping services include truck-rail, rail-water, and rail-air. Truck-rail is the most commonly used intermodal shipping service and involves transporting goods by truck to a rail yard and then transferring them to a rail car for shipment. Rail-water ships goods by train to a port, where they are loaded onto a ship and transported to their destination. Rail-air is used to transport goods by train to an airport, where they are loaded onto a plane and transported to their destination.
| Vehicle Type | Dimensions/ Weight Limits | Base Price (Metro Manila) | Base Price (Outside Metro Manila) | Base Price (Visayas/Mindanao) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wing Vanย | 32 to 40 x 7.8 x 7.8 ft 12000kg to 28000kg | 7000 PHP | 6500 PHP | 6500 PHP |
 6w Fwd Truck | 18 x 6 x 7 ft 7000kg | 4850 PHP | 4850 PHP | 4850 PHP |
 Closed Van | 10 to 14 x 6 x 6 ft 2000kg to 4000kg | 1600 PHP | 1450 PHP | 1450 PHP |
 Open Truck | 10 to 21 x 6 ft x open 2000kg and 7000kg | 2300 PHP | 1950 PHP | 1950 PHP |
 L300/Van | 8 x 4.5 x 4.5 ft 1000kg | 415 PHP | 330 PHP | 310 PHP |
 Small Pickup | 5 x 5 ft x open 1000kg | 310 PHP | 250 PHP | 220 PHP |
 Light Van | 5.5 x 3.8 x 3.8 ft 600kg | 250 PHP | 192 PHP | 225 PHP |
 MPV/SUV | 5 x 3.2 x 2.8 ft 200kg | 160 PHP | 130 PHP | 140 PHP |
 Sedan | 3.5 x 2 x 2.5 ft 200kg | 140 PHP | 110 PHP | 120 PHP |
Transport
The truck or train will transport the goods to the shipping companyโs warehouse. This part of the process usually takes a few hours or days, depending on various factors. For example, if the shipping company is located in a different area, it will take longer for the goods to arrive at the warehouse.
Unload and Store
Once the goods arrive at the shipping companyโs warehouse, they will be unloaded from the truck or train and stored in the warehouse. The shipping company will then load the goods onto the transport vehicle.
For example, if the shipping company has chosen to use a ship to transport the goods, they will load them onto the ship during this process.
Shipment
The shipping company will then ship the goods to their destination. The shipment usually takes a few days or weeks, depending on the distance the goods need to travel.
Also, different shipping methods can be used. For example, if the shipping company uses a ship to transport the goods, they will have to choose between maritime and air shipping.
Maritime shipping is the most common type of shipping, as it is usually the cheapest option. Air shipping is more expensive, but it is faster.
Last Mile Delivery
Finally, the shipping company will deliver the goods to the customerโs doorstep.
As you can see, type of shipping is a simple and efficient way to transport goods. That’s why it has become such a popular choice for businesses that need to ship their products across the country.
In some cases, the intermodal shipping services also include unloading the goods at the customerโs location. This is especially convenient for businesses that donโt have the manpower to unload the goods themselves.
Benefits of Using Intermodal Shipping Services
Is this type of shipping the right choice for your business? Letโs take a look at some of the benefits of intermodal shipping services:
Reduced shipping costs
Using intermodal shipping services is often more cost-effective than using a single mode of transportation. This is because shipping companies can offer discounts for businesses that ship their goods using multiple modes of transportation.
Moreover, hiring a single company to coordinate the shipping for you can also help you save money. This is because you wonโt have to hire multiple companies to handle different aspects of the shipping process.
Improved reliability
This type of shipping is also more efficient than using a single mode of transportation. This is because shipping companies can provide a door-to-door service, so businesses donโt have to coordinate multiple shipments.
The intermodal shipping company will pick up the goods from the customerโs location, transport them to the intermodal shipping companyโs warehouse, and then ship them to their destination. This door-to-door service is very convenient and can save businesses time and hassle.
Increased flexibility
Intermodal shipping is also very flexible. This is because businesses can choose from a variety of shipping services, depending on their needs.
For example, if you need to ship your goods quickly, you can choose air shipping. You can choose maritime shipping if you need to ship your goods on a budget. There are also different shipping companies that offer different services. So, you can always shop around and find the best shipping company for your business.
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Intermodal Shipping Services in the Philippines
If you have a business in the Philippines, you can use intermodal shipping services to ship your goods to other parts of the country.
There are many shipping companies in the Philippines that offer a variety of logistics services. So, you can always find one that meets your needs. But out of all the options, it’s best to choose the most reliable company.
Transportify is one of the most reliable shipping companies in the Philippines. We offer a variety of shipping services, inland full truckload shipping, interisland, and door-to-door delivery. We will use trucks and RORO ships if you need your cargo delivered to another island.
We also have a wide network of partners, meaning we can ship your goods anywhere in the country. So, if you need to ship your goods to Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Bohol, Dumaguete, Masbate, or other provinces, we can do it for you.
Moreover, our clients have plenty of options for the delivery vehicle. For interisland shipping, we have lorries and 20-footer trucks. We also have vans for door-to-door delivery.
On top of that, we also offer real-time tracking. This means you can always track your shipment and know exactly where it is. If you need intermodal shipping services, feel free to contact us. We would be more than happy to assist you.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is intermodal shipping?
๐This type of shipping is a logistics method that uses multiple modes of transportation, such as maritime, air, and land. Businesses often use this type of shipping to ship their goods to other parts of the country.
What are the benefits of intermodal shipping?
๐ Using this type of shipping is often more cost-effective than a single mode of transportation. This is because shipping companies can offer discounts for businesses that ship their goods using multiple modes of transportation.
This type of shipping is also more efficient than using a single mode of transportation. This is because shipping companies can provide a door-to-door service, so businesses donโt have to coordinate multiple shipments. Lastly, this type of shipping is also very flexible.
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