Intermodal Shipping: A Complete Guide
Intermodal shipping services (or intermodal freight transport) is the movement of freight in standardized ISO containers across multiple transportation modes—truck, rail, ship, or air—without unloading the cargo when switching modes. This method enables the freight to remain securely sealed and intact from origin to destination, dramatically reducing handling, damage, and loss risks.
How Intermodal Shipping Works:
Intermodal shipping begins when cargo is packed into a standardized ISO container and sealed at the shipper’s facility. Once ready, a drayage truck picks up the container and transports it to a nearby rail yard, port, or intermodal terminal. From there, the sealed container embarks on the long-haul leg of its journey—often by train, ocean vessel, or even air, depending on the shipping lane and destination.
Upon arrival at the destination terminal, another drayage truck is dispatched to retrieve the container and deliver it to the consignee. Throughout the entire journey, the contents remain untouched inside the same container, significantly reducing the risk of damage, loss, or theft.
Modern intermodal rail networks often rely on well cars designed for double-stack shipping, allowing two containers to be stacked vertically on a single rail car. This innovation improves efficiency, maximizes space, and lowers transportation costs over long distances.
Benefits of Intermodal Shipping
1. Cost Efficiency For shipments over approximately 700 miles, rail-based intermodal is significantly cheaper per ton‑mile than long‑haul trucking. U.S. railroads can move one ton of freight nearly 450 miles per gallon of diesel. Combining modes allows shippers to optimize cost-per-mile across the journey
2. Environmental Sustainability Using rail and ocean reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Since trains are so fuel-efficient, intermodal shipping has a smaller carbon footprint compared to truck-only solutions
3. Better Security & Risk Management Because containers stay sealed and aren’t unpacked during mode transfers, there’s less exposure to theft or tampering. Rail yards and terminals have controlled access, enhancing cargo security
4. Reliable Capacity & Reduced Congestion: Intermodal shipping offers consistent freight capacity even during times of high trucking demand or market volatility. By shifting long-haul freight to rail or ocean, it eases pressure on highways, lowers traffic congestion, and reduces delivery delays in major distribution corridors and urban centers.
5. Scalability & Flexibility Intermodal is highly scalable, supporting large-volume freight across long distances with fewer long-haul trucks needed. It’s also flexible—allowing rail or ocean transport for the main leg, paired with localized drayage by truck—making it ideal for multi-regional networks with variable volume, destinations, and service requirements.
Limitations of Intermodal Shipping
Longer transit times: Rail may be slower than direct trucking for urgent loads.
Terminal dependency: Requires access to rail yards or ports. Not feasible for facilities far from those nodes.
Contract complexity: Multiple carriers and legs may involve separate documentation and billing
Infrastructure limits: Some regions and rail lines cannot handle double-stack containers due to clearance restrictions
Who Should Use Intermodal Shipping?
Intermodal is ideal if:
You regularly ship long‑distance loads (usually over 700 miles).
Your business uses consistent routes and volume patterns.
You’re committed to sustainability goals, lowering carbon emissions.
You want to reduce per‑shipment costs through rail and container efficiencies.
Industries well-suited include industrial manufacturing, retail distribution, non-perishable consumer goods, building materials, and international imports moving inland via rail
Intermodal vs Other Modes: A Comparison
LYNC Logistics' Intermodal Broker Services
At LYNC, we’re pro’s when it comes to all things freight, and that includes intermodal services. With LYNC, you get:
Seamless integration of rail, container shipping, drayage, and trucking, with specialized cargo handling when needed
A dedicated single point of contact per client, ensuring coordination across carriers and terminals
24/7 phone support, available anytime customers need help
Over 25 years of experience in intermodal freight and logistics brokerage
Focus on secure, standardized container shipping, efficient drayage service, and coordinated multimodal transitions Lync Logistics.
Let LYNC handle your intermodal shipping details
Intermodal shipping delivers a compelling balance of cost savings, environmental sustainability, capacity reliability, and cargo security—especially for repetitive, long-distance freight. By partnering with an experienced intermodal broker like LYNC Logistics, shippers gain a trusted, full-service solution with 24/7 support and streamlined communication.
Whether you’re importing goods overseas, distributing high-volume retail inventory, or seeking greener logistics options, intermodal can help you optimize your supply chain for both performance and value.