Maximising the efficiency of your freight solutions is important for global businesses. Long gone are the days of single-mode shipping as a cost-effective method of transporting international goods. Today’s model of multi-modal freight offers businesses environmentally responsible and flexible shipping of goods no matter the diversity or complexity of their shipping needs.

But what are multi-modal freight solutions, and how can they help your business?

The Pick ’n’ Mix of Freight Solutions

Multi-modal freight is about using a mixture of transportation to optimise the shipping operation, gaining the benefits of each type while maintaining a comprehensive overview and management process.

There are four main methods of shipping:

• Ocean – Simply the most cost-effective way to ship large volumes of goods over long distances.
• Air – The fastest mode of transport, air freight offers an ideal solution for time-sensitive or high-value cargo.
• Rail – With a good balance of speed, cost, and environmental friendliness, rail is excellent for long-distance land-based shipments.
• Road – With unparalleled worldwide coverage, road provides flexibility and door-to-door delivery, making it effective for shorter distances and areas not served by rail.

How Does Multi-Modal Shipping Work?

Your shipment could be considered to be the baton in a relay race, with each mode of transport acting as a runner passing it from one to the next. It starts by being loaded onto a truck at the factory, loaded onto a train for a long-haul journey, transferred next to a ship for an ocean crossing, and being met in the destination port by a truck that takes it by road to its final destination.

The Flexibility Factor

Modern businesses demand flexibility in all areas, including shipping. Flexibility allows for better-tailored solutions regardless of the need.

Multi-modal freight makes it possible to customise the transport method to the specific needs of each shipment. Air freight can be utilised for urgent deliveries, ocean freight for bulk goods, and so on.

Additionally, the multi-modal model helps manage any disruptions; if one mode of transport is affected, the shipment can be rerouted using another form of transport.

It allows businesses to easily scale their shipping, increasing or decreasing the volume of goods in transit as needed, using different modes to meet fluctuating demand.

Efficiency and Cost Savings

One of the greatest benefits of multi-modal freight is its cost-effective nature. Transportation is not cheap, so finding every way to squeeze the most out of each shipment is essential to keep costs down. By selecting the most efficient mode of transport for each leg of the journey, companies reduce their overall transportation expenses.

Combining different modes also allows for the creation of superior routing, improving the outcome through:

• Reduced transit time – Getting goods to customers faster is essential in a competitive market, even more so when the items themselves are perishable.
• Lowered fuel consumption – Saving costs and meeting ecological concerns.
• Minimised warehousing and storage – Efficient transportation means less time that goods need to be held, saving costs in warehousing and staffing.
• Optimised inventory levels – Rapid transportation means less need to hold expensive stock, releasing capital for growth.

The use of standardised containers further improves the situation, reducing the cost and time involved in handling and the risk of damage and theft. Furthermore, by consolidating goods at intermodal terminals, companies can benefit from economies of scale, improving their profitability and ensuring they remain competitive.

Environmental Benefits

Environmental issues are at the core of every international company today, and the spotlight is always on transportation. Multi-modal solutions lower emissions by ensuring the most environmentally responsible routes and modes of transport are chosen for each leg of the journey.

By helping businesses work towards their sustainability goals, multi-modal freight forms a central part of businesses’ ecological and social remits.

Using Millennium for Your Multi-Modal Freight Solution

As freight fowarders, Millennium is an expert in global multi-modal freight solutions. Discuss your needs with us to see how this winning combination of flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness can improve your business practices and propel your growth in a competitive worldwide market. Contact Millennium today.