What Is The Difference Between Multimodal And Intermodal Transport?

The terms multimodal and intermodal transport refer to transport systems involving different modes of transport, but there are some important differences between these two terms. Here are explanations of both terms and the differences between them:

Multimodal Transport

Multimodal transport is the use of more than one mode of transport (such as road, maritime, railway, airway) under the same transport contract. That is, a single transport company or logistics service provider transports the cargo using more than one mode of transport in the transport process. In this case, the cargo may pass through more than one means of transport, but all transport operations are carried out through a single contract.

Characteristics:

1- Use of more than one mode of transport during the transport process.

2- The transport process is regulated by a single transport contract.

3- All stages of the transport process are managed by a single logistics company.

4- Transitions between modes of transport are organised by a transport company.

Example,

A cargo is transported from Turkey by sea to the Port of Istanbul, then from Istanbul it is sent by road to the destination country in Europe. This process is managed by a single logistics provider and the entire transport process is governed by a single multimodal transport contract.

2. Intermodal Transport

Intermodal transport is a type of transport where more than one mode of transport is used, but each mode of transport is managed by different transport companies or service providers. That is, different modes of transport (road, maritime, rail, air) are switched between, but each mode of transport has its own contract and transport provider.

Characteristics:

1- More than one mode of transport is used.

2- Each mode of transport has a separate transport contract and is managed by different transport companies.

3- Transitions between transport modes are organised between logistics companies and transport providers.

4- Freight is usually transported between modes of transport using portable containers.

Example:

A cargo is transported from Turkey by rail to a port in Europe, then the same cargo is transported by sea to another European country. In this transport process, each mode of transport is managed by different transport companies, but in the whole process the cargo is transported using containers.

Differences between Multimodal and Intermodal

– Contract Structure:

In multimodal transport, all stages of the transport process are carried out under a single transport contract. In intermodal transport, there are separate contracts for each mode of transport and the management of each mode belongs to different transport companies.

– Transport Companies:

In multimodal transport, all transport processes are managed by a single logistics provider. In intermodal transport, more than one company or transport service provider is involved in the transport process.

– Transition Between Freight Transport Modes:

In multimodal transport, the transition between transport modes is organised by a single transport company. In intermodal transport, the transition between transport modes is carried out by different transport companies.

While multimodal transport means that all transport processes are managed by a single company and carried out under a single contract, intermodal transport describes a system in which more than one transport mode is used but each mode is managed by different transport companies. Which system to use depends on the type of transport, logistic requirements and cost targets.

In short, Multimodal transport is a system in which more than one mode of transport is managed by the same company under a single transport contract. Intermodal transport is a system in which different modes of transport are each managed by separate transport companies, but usually using transportable units such as containers during transport.