Multimodal transportation

As a result of combining several types of vehicles, it is possible to obtain a lower price or reduce the delivery time. It should be noted that at the same time, all responsibility for the safety of the cargo along the entire route lies with the general contractor. Customers can get all the benefits of this method without risking the goods. The organization of this type of cargo delivery must begin with the formation of the optimal route, taking into account the individual characteristics of a particular partner. Logisticians find out important parameters (volume, weight of cargo, point of departure and arrival, required time and budget restrictions) and make a personal offer based on the information received. At the same time, the route of movement, the order of stops for reloading, places for temporary storage, the duration of parking and other important stages to ensure stable delivery on time are clearly planned.

It is important to contact professionals, because due to one inaccuracy, a long delay can occur and, as a result, this leads to losses for the business. Over the years, AF-Group specialists have gained extensive experience in drawing up logistics routes with a minimum probability of arrival date shifts. If you need to deliver cargo from Europe, Asia, America or Africa – contact a trusted company that will offer the most favorable rates and ensure the safety of the shipment.

What is multimodal transportation for?

Clients choose a multimodal method to optimize business processes and reduce costs. Also, this option is the only way to connect remote locations without direct communication with each other.

Benefits of AF-Group partners when ordering:

1. the ability to choose any places for picking up and delivering cargo
2. reducing the cost of transportation by choosing the most economical transport on each separate section of the route
3. acceleration of delivery due to the selection of optimal vehicles for the passage of certain sections.

Customers have the opportunity to place an order for cargo transportation not from one company, but independently conclude contracts with several contractors. This option is called intermodal transport.

However, this method has a number of significant differences:

1. it is necessary to conclude not one, but several contracts at once (the workflow becomes much more complicated)
2. the area of ​​responsibility of each individual contractor is rather blurred (it is difficult to find the real culprit in case of damage to the cargo)
3. there may be disputes about the reasons for the delay in overloading, and no one will compensate for the loss (“passing the blame” onto another participant in the process).

However, this method is still used despite serious disadvantages. The reason for choosing intermodal delivery is that the client strives to conclude more favorable agreements with the direct owners of the transport at each site. Thus, in theory, you can get economic benefits due to the absence of the need to pay extra for agency services of the transport company. In practice, the savings are felt before the first problem occurs. Each force majeure (damage to cargo, delay due to breakdown, incorrectly executed documents, etc.) must be resolved on its own, losing not only money, but also time and nerves.

How to choose the best option for multimodal transportation to Ukraine?

The only significant drawback of the multimodal method is the need to organize several connections and reloading of goods along the route. The choice of this method should be based on how professionally these stages will be performed. It is important to choose a reliable transport company that has the skills and experience in this area. If you entrust the implementation of a complex project with a large number of sections, then you can get serious problems instead of the result. It is also not recommended to involve firms with a bad reputation and unstable financial situation.

AF-Group offers multimodal transportation with a guarantee of meeting deadlines and at a favorable price. Clients receive all the data about potential delivery participants who will carry out the cargo transportation. The contract is concluded directly between the customer and the forwarding logistics company, therefore, responsibility for the safety of the cargo passes to the recipient only at the time of actual unloading and inspection at the destination. There is no need to waste your nerves and time on solving the difficulties that arise. It is better to entrust all transportation work to professionals.

How to conclude a contract for multimodal transportation?

In order for an international shipment to arrive on time and in good condition, you need to record on paper the important points of agreements with the transport company.

AF-Group pays special attention to the transparency of relationships with partners and recommends paying attention to the following sections of the agreement:

1. an indication of all contractors who will actually transport the goods
2. responsibility at all stages lies with the transport company
3. the cost of providing services is clearly spelled out (without vague wording)
4. the deadline for the execution of the order is fixed (specific date).

Naturally, with such a number of participants, a shift in terms may occur due to force majeure circumstances, however, initially the contract must contain the exact date of arrival. In the event of force majeure, all new introductory notes that influenced the postponement of the date must be recorded in an additional agreement of the parties.

Who prepares documents when ordering multimodal transportation?

When organizing international cargo transportation, special attention should be paid to the preparation of the necessary documentation for a smooth and efficient passage of the state border. You can prepare customs papers yourself or, if you have no experience, use the legal support service from AF-Group. If you fill out a declaration, commercial invoice or bill of lading incorrectly, then there is a possibility of (at best) getting penalties or a delay at customs or even losing the cargo due to the arrest of the entire consignment. Not only the safety of the cargo depends on the experience of the logistics partner, but also the legal purity of the imported products. We recommend contacting professionals to build a profitable and stable business.

Types of vehicles for multimodal transportation

There is a classification of multimodal cargo transportation depending on the transport used. These can be trains, sea and river vessels for delivery by water, air transport and cars.

Road transport

Road transportation falls into the multimodal category in the case of using certain vehicles for picking up goods from different suppliers and consolidating them in a central warehouse with subsequent loading into more lifting vehicles. There is also a reverse option, where after arriving in the country of destination, a consignment of goods from one truck is delivered by small cars directly to the recipients. Often, the multimodal option is used within one country with loyal tax legislation, which does not require several customs clearance procedures for individual consignments.

Sea transport

Delivery of goods by sea is rarely found in its pure form. In most cases, this option is combined with the delivery of products to the port by road or rail. The starting and ending points of the route may not have a common waterway, and therefore containerized cargo transportation is mainly multimodal. To calculate the cost of forwarding services along the entire route, you can contact the representatives of the company “AF-Group”.

Railway trains

A railroad can be part of a multimodal transport using many modes of transport. For example, after sea transportation, containers are unloaded to a transshipment warehouse in a port, from where they are transported by road for loading into wagons for shipment by rail to the next destination. Upon arrival, the batch is unloaded to the warehouse, from where the customer picks up the goods (or delivery by road to the customer’s address is performed). The main advantage of railway transport is the low cost of transportation due to the relatively low cost of fuel and maintenance of trains. However, it is worth comparing prices taking into account agency fees, because some transport companies do not work directly with the owners of railway trains, which significantly increases the price.

Airlines

Multimodal transportation using airliners should be performed by large logistics companies that conclude contracts directly with air carriers. The fewer intermediaries are involved in the process, the more favorable tariffs the customer can receive. It is also easier to solve the arising difficulties during transportation, because the control over the situation is carried out by the general carrier. In most cases, there is a combination of air delivery with road transportation within the country – it will provide favorable transportation rates to maintain the economic viability of the enterprise.

Customers reap many benefits from choosing multiple shipping options under a single contract.

Advantages of the multimodal method:

1. if you conclude a contract with one transport company, you can get a better offer (the price for a complex application is usually much lower)
2. reduction of delivery times of products due to the use of fast vehicles in certain areas
3. unlimited routes from anywhere in the world
4. safety (at all stages of forwarding, the safety of the batch is guaranteed).

It is also worth noting more stable and predictable transportation to the consignee’s warehouse. If the route is divided into several segments, then in the event of force majeure (breakdown or delay of transport), it is possible to quickly find an alternative contractor for a certain part of the supply chain.

Benefits of cooperation with “AF-Group”

The company’s employees have enough experience and competence to build optimal routes, taking into account the requirements of each specific client. You can order multimodal transportation to Ukraine by simply calling the phone number listed on the website or using the feedback form. All clients will receive favorable tariffs (regardless of the batch size), a guarantee of the safety of the batch and strict adherence to the established deadlines.