Intermodal shipping refers to the movement of goods using two or more different modes of transportation – such as trucks, rail, ships, or planes – in a coordinated logistics process. This process often uses standardized containers that can easily switch between modes from origin to destination.
It may involve the shipper or buyer dealing with multiple carriers, each responsible for a part of the journey. This approach is often employed for cost saving purposes, even though it might result in longer transit times. Additionally, it might require more extensive documentation and active management due to the involvement of different carriers and contracts.