Glossary
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Example H2
Supply Chain Glossary
ABC analysis
Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN)
Agile supply chain
Air waybill (AWB)
Arrival notice
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
Backhauling
Backorder
Bay plan
Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO)
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Blank sailing
Blind shipment
Bonded warehouse
Booking confirmation
Booking request
Break bulk cargo
Buffer stock
Bulk cargo
Bullwhip effect
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
Capesize Ship
Cargo release
Cargo survey
Carrier
Carrier haulage
Carrier scorecard
Certificate of origin
Commercial invoice
Commodity
Consignee
Consignment inventory
Consignor
Container depot
Container discharge
Container freight station
Container grade
Container packing certificate
Container rollover
Container stripping
Container stuffing
Cross docking
Customs broker
Customs clearance
Customs manifest
Cut-off
Cycle counting
DAP (Delivered At Place)
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)
DPU (Delivered At Place Unloaded)
Dangerous goods declaration
Deadheading
Deadweight tonnage
Demurrage
Detention charges
Digital twin
Dimensional weight
Dock receipt
Draft (Draught)
Drayage
Drop shipping
Dry bulk cargo
EDI booking
EORI number
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
EXW (Ex Works)
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
Electronic Product Code (EPC)
Equipment
Equipment discharge / load report
Exception
Expedited freight
FAS (Free Alongside Ship)
FCA (Free carrier)
FCL Freight
FOB (Free on board)
Feeder operator
Feeder vessel
Feedermax Ship
Fill rate
Flags of Convenience
Fourth Party Logistics (4PL)
Free trade zone
Freight forwarding
Freight visibility
Full truckload (FTL) freight
GLEC framework
Gate-out
German Supply Chain Act
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
Goods Receipt Note (GRN)
Green logistics
Handysize Vessel
Haulage equipment
Haulage requirements
Haulage type
Haulier
House Bill of Lading (HBL)
Hub and spoke model
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Intermodal transportation

What is intermodal transportation?

‍Intermodal transportation is a logistics strategy that involves using multiple modes of transport, such as trucks, trains, ships, and planes, to move goods from origin to destination. Unlike traditional transportation methods that rely on a single mode of transport, intermodal transportation combines different modes in a coordinated and seamless manner, allowing for greater flexibility, efficiency, and reliability in the supply chain.

How does intermodal transportation work?‍

Intermodal transportation works by utilizing standardized containers that can be seamlessly transferred between different modes of transport without the need to unload and reload the cargo. Containers are loaded onto trucks at the origin, transferred to trains or ships for long-haul transport, and then unloaded and delivered to the final destination by trucks. This approach minimizes handling and reduces transit times, resulting in cost savings and improved service levels.

What are the benefits of intermodal transportation?

‍Intermodal transportation offers several benefits, including reduced transportation costs, improved transit times, increased flexibility, and enhanced sustainability. By leveraging multiple modes of transport, businesses can optimize their logistics operations, mitigate risks associated with disruptions in any single mode, and better meet customer demand while minimizing environmental impact.

Intermodal vs. multimodal transportation

‍While both intermodal and multimodal transportation involve using multiple modes of transport, they differ in terms of operational integration. Intermodal transportation refers to the seamless transfer of standardized containers between different modes without handling the cargo itself, while multimodal transportation involves coordinating the use of multiple modes under a single transport contract but may require handling of the cargo between modes.