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Why you should switch to intermodal logistics

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3 reasons to choose alternatives for traditional long-distance trucking

Today, companies have a multitude of options for moving their goods beyond traditional long-haul road transport. By integrating various modes of transportation—trucks, ships, and trains—businesses can optimise their shipping routes for flexibility, speed, cost, and environmental impact. Here are three irresistible advantages of intermodal logistics..

1. Benefit #1 – Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Road transport is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 75% of the transport industry’s emissions in Europe. Specifically, truck transportation is responsible for about 25% of this amount (Publications Office of the European Union).

 

In contrast, rail and maritime shipping generate significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to trucks. Although most ships burn fossil fuels, which release CO2, they can move vast amounts of freight at once, making them much more efficient. Consequently, road freight can emit up to 100 times as much CO2 as ships to transport the same quantity of goods over the same distance (MIT).

 

Here’s a breakdown of global freight emissions in 2020:

 

  • Air freight: 155 million tonnes of CO2
  • Rail freight: 170 million tonnes of CO2
  • Sea freight: 657 million tonnes of CO2
  • Road freight: 2.2 billion tonnes of CO2

 

And you look at CO2 emissions per tonne-km:

ndq co2 emissions per tonne km

These figures highlight how intermodal transport can significantly enhance the environmental sustainability of freight operations, by reducing reliance on road transport.

2. Benefit #2: Cost-effective transportation

Intermodal transportation reduces fuel consumption, which directly cuts transportation expenses and ultimately benefits your business. Companies that switch from long-haul highway freight to intermodal rail often experience cost savings between 10% to 40%. Trains are roughly four times more fuel-efficient than trucks, and shifting 10% of long-distance highway freight to rail could save approximately 45.42 billion litres of fuel annually.

3. Benefit #3: Less traffic congestion

Trains and ships can transport far more goods than trucks. For instance, one train can carry the same amount of goods as 60 trucks. This capacity helps alleviate traffic congestion, reducing various societal costs, including (Metropolitan Council):

 

  • Commuter costs, which include lost time, unreliable travel times, and more frequent vehicle repairs.
  • Safety costs, such as traffic accidents, increased stress levels, and a higher risk of road rage.
  • Environmental costs, think of wasted fuel, increased CO2 and higher air pollution levels (of black carbon, for example) that have a negative impact on health.

NDQ’s investments in intermodal transport

To help customers reduce their carbon footprint, NDQ has embraced intermodal transport, investing in the necessary infrastructure and expertise. Our strategically located warehouse in the Belgian port of Zeebrugge is close to the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) North Sea shipping lines and features covered railway access and a large cross-docking facility. This setup allows seamless transitions between transportation modes and efficient bundling and shipping of goods.

 

Want to know which intermodal solution best suits your shipping needs?

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