The concept of multimodal shipping is widely used in the field of logistics, when shipping of products is carried out by two or more types of vehicles – by land (auto or railway), air or sea with transshipment at various terminals. Most often, transportation by sea and by air requires engagement of truck transport in order to provide a door-to-door service.
Multimodal shipment equals customization, and a lot depends on the nature of the goods, their dimensions, weight, conditions, deadlines, and the budget of the customer. Combination of various types of transport ensures cargo delivery to any location in the world, regardless of how far it can be.
Features of multimodal transportation
Despite the use of several types of vehicles, all the stages of transportation are carried out under a single contract, and the general carrier is responsible for the safety of the cargo and its timely arrival. This shipment method features transshipment of cargo from one mode of transport to another or its temporary storage in a consolidated warehouse or at the terminal of a railway station, seaport or an airport.
With additional permits for multimodal shipping comes more complex paperwork. Bear in mind that goods can be sent to different destinations, therefore, experience in accounting of cargo and freight forwarding is necessary to ensure that the goods do reach their destination.
Multimodal transportation allows for logistics optimization, minimization of costs and delivery time, and transporting goods to hard-to-reach places. And, in some cases it is the only possible delivery method. Oftentimes, they use multimodal transportation for international shipping.
Transport documents for multimodal transportation are regulated at the regional, national and international levels. When implementing the task, it is worth having clear knowledge and rules of drawing up a waybill – a document that includes information about the goods (its nature, weight, dimensions, quantity), the shipper, the recipient, points of departure and arrival, the payment information (invoice), the service provider, and the terms of insurance. Additionally, customs and transit clearance are carried out, which also requires filing a declaration in accordance with the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity.
Shipping cost
International multimodal shipping rates depend on the nature of the product, its dimensions, weight, points of departure and arrival, route, availability of places, choice of vehicle, urgency of delivery, the need for additional services – packaging, labeling, sorting, loading and unloading operations.
To calculate the final cost of shipping, it is necessary to conduct an analysis and find the best solution. MW-Trade has been successfully implementing international cargo transportation for its clients on a turnkey basis for more than ten years. We take responsibility for every step of transportation; coordinate all the stages, including transfer, storage, consolidation. The company's specialists are ready to provide you with all the necessary information; prepare an accurate calculation and step into the process at any stage of transportation.
