| To move a load easily takes a multitude of different | | | | Intermodal containers aren't the only way that rail and |
| transportation methods. By working together, each of | | | | water transportation can be brought together. A car |
| these methods will have their various strengths | | | | float is an unpowered barge that can move rail cars |
| brought to the forefront. From this idea, the idea of | | | | across the water; likewise, a train ferry does the same |
| placing freight in containers was born. | | | | thing under it's own power. In both cases, the decks of |
| The intermodal container allows for transport by ship, | | | | the vessels have rails to ease movement. |
| train or roadway truck. By using these three forms of | | | | Surface to air lifted freight has also become popular |
| transportation together, a variety of combined services | | | | by utilizing multiple modes of transportation to move |
| can be offered. One of the more creative uses of | | | | things more efficiently. International airmail is expensive, |
| containerization is the use of railroads to form land | | | | but if the air move is only between the two nations in |
| bridges across continents. | | | | question, it becomes far less so. Surface to air lifted |
| For example, say a company in Japan regularly ships | | | | mail is treated as surface mail in the originating nation |
| electronics to markets in Europe. Shiploads that sail to | | | | and the destination, but is flown between them. |
| ports in Germany or the United Kingdom would take a | | | | Air transportation is very important as part of a private |
| long time to reach their destination. Therefore, | | | | package delivery system. By using large air hubs, and |
| intermodal containers can be loaded on vessels | | | | delivering packages by truck from these hubs, |
| headed for ports in the western United States. These | | | | packages can be routed anywhere in the world within |
| containers are unloaded, and loaded into container cars | | | | a minimal amount of time. However, customers will |
| on freight trains. Routing these containers by train, and | | | | usually be expected to pay for this convenience, since |
| loading them on ships in the eastern United States | | | | such a system tends to be quite expensive. In many |
| bound for Europe can cut a substantial amount of time | | | | cases though, the speed outweighs the extra cost. |
| cut off the journey. | | | | Logistics is a complicated market thats why using a |
| Another benefit of the concept is that after being | | | | good freight company is key. By using various different |
| routed to a rail terminal near to the delivery point, the | | | | methods of transportation, a more complete logistics |
| final delivery can be made by truck. This allows a | | | | package may be assembled. Each different mode of |
| combined service to enjoy the flexibility of the local | | | | transportation might be considered a tool with which to |
| road network, without causing too much of a disruption | | | | solve a number of diverse problems. |
| to it. | | | | |