What is defined as “Intermodal Transportation”?

Intermodal transportation refers specifically to the movement of cargo utilizing more than one mode of transport—such as rail, truck, and ship—under a single bill of lading. This approach enables more efficient logistics by allowing shippers to harness the advantages of different transportation methods, depending on the needs of the shipment and the geographic areas involved.

By integrating multiple forms of transport, intermodal transportation can optimize costs, reduce transit times, and improve service reliability. For example, a shipment could be transported by truck to a rail yard, then continue by train for the longer distance, before being transferred back to a truck for local delivery. This versatility is a significant advantage over single-mode transportation methods, which may not be as efficient or cost-effective for certain routes or types of cargo.

The concept of using only one mode of transport, as suggested in the other options, deviates from the core definition of intermodal transportation. For instance, shipping goods solely by air freight limits the shipping options, while transporting goods exclusively via rail or within a single country does not involve the integration of multiple transportation modes that defines intermodal logistics.