Less Emissions in Transport. The First Step: Intermodal
Reducing emissions is becoming a crucial factor when selecting logistics solutions. However, transportation efficiency—especially in terms of time and cost—remains a priority for companies. As a result, intermodal transport is gaining both significance and popularity.
Intermodal transport is a solution where different freight modes—rail, road, or sea—are combined within the supply chain, while using a single loading unit, such as a container or an intermodal trailer. This approach enables optimization of the transport process, including selecting the most appropriate mode of transport for each leg of the journey and facilitating efficient cargo transfers between them. For the land segment, which typically covers the longest distance, trains are often the preferred option. Not only is rail the most environmentally friendly choice, but it also allows for the transportation of large volumes and oversized goods simultaneously, which is particularly important in sectors like joinery, construction, and furniture manufacturing.
“The need to reduce the carbon footprint is one of the key reasons why customers opt for intermodal services. It allows for efficient use of rail in continental transportation, most commonly for moving goods from seaports. However, the use of rail freight for the longest leg of transport across Europe is becoming increasingly popular, while road transport is used for the first and last mile. In these cases, electric trucks can also be employed to enhance operational efficiency, especially on regular routes,” says Łukasz Rother, Intermodal Product Manager at Rohlig SUUS Logistics.
Additionally, this transportation option allows for further optimization of supply chains. Using a single loading unit throughout the entire transport process significantly reduces the number of transshipments, eliminating the need for unpacking and reconsolidation at terminals. This also enhances the security of goods and minimizes the risk of damage.
“At SUUS, we are seeing a growing number of clients opting for this service. For one company, we are running a project where we transport sports equipment and accessories intermodally, using rail and trucks for the first and last mile, from a factory in Poland to warehouses across Italy. After one year of collaboration, the volume of goods transported has doubled, which is the best endorsement for us,” says Łukasz Rother. “Transport infrastructure plays a crucial role in the efficiency of intermodal services, and this is precisely the case in this partnership. Italy is renowned for its extensive rail network and transshipment terminals, which allow for efficient intermodal transportation throughout the country,” he adds.
Beyond the Apennine Peninsula, SUUS also provides intermodal transportation to other European destinations, including Germany, the Netherlands, as well as the UK, Spain, and Portugal, where, in addition to road and rail transport, sea freight is often utilized.
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Last Updated on December 13, 2024 by Elżbieta Wieleba