The differences between intermodal freight and multimodal freight

While intermodal freight works well for businesses that want full control over their supply chain, multimodal freight is ideal for those who prefer a simplified shipping experience, with a single contract and a single point of contact.

If you’ve ever booked a shipment that needed more than one mode of transport, you’ve probably come across the terms intermodal freight and multimodal freight.

Despite their differences, many people use these terms interchangeably because of how similar they sound.

Both approaches involve moving goods across multiple modes of transportation.

However, they differ in terms of how the shipment is managed, the number of contracts involved, the documents required, and who assumes shipping responsibilities.

This article explains the differences between intermodal freight and multimodal freight, so that you can choose the option that works best for your business and its priorities—whether that’s flexibility or convenience. 

What is intermodal freight?

Intermodal freight is a shipping method that uses two or more transportation modes but treats each leg of the journey as a separate move.

A different carrier—with their own pricing, terms, and timelines—handles each part of the transport, and you will have to sign a separate contract or agreement for each leg.

Moreover, you will be communicating with different providers and tracking each leg independently.

Because each carrier operates independently, liability is divided, and every carrier is responsible only for its part of the journey.

In this case, if damage or delay occurs, you must identify which leg was affected and file a claim with the responsible carrier.

With intermodal freight, cargo is typically moved in standardized containers, which allows it to be transferred between modes without being unloaded or repacked. 

What is multimodal freight?

Multimodal freight also moves goods across two or more transportation modes, but under one contract and with one company responsible for the entire journey.

This company is called the Multimodal Transport Operator (MTO).

The MTO (often a freight forwarder) manages every step, from booking space to coordinating transfers between modes and overseeing documentation.

In this case, all charges are bundled, and all communication flows through a single point of contact.

Most importantly, liability is with the MTO, who assumes full responsibility for the shipment from origin to destination.

Similar to intermodal freight, with multimodal freight, the cargo typically remains sealed in the same container throughout its entire journey, with minimal handling during mode transfers.

The key differences between intermodal freight and multimodal freight

The table below outlines the key differences between intermodal and multimodal freight.

Which option should you choose?

Choosing between intermodal freight and multimodal freight often comes down to how much control you want over the shipment versus how much convenience you need.

Choose intermodal freight if you prefer:

• • The flexibility to select specific carriers for each stage
  • More visibility into each leg of the shipment
  • Greater control over scheduling and handoffs between carriers

Choose multimodal freight if you prefer:

• • Working with a single provider to manage your shipping
  • One contract, one invoice, and one point of contact
  • Convenience over managing individual shipping legs

How Cole International can help

At Cole International, we provide freight forwarding solutions to help businesses ship their goods across the globe, with greater efficiency and convenience.  

Our team can work with you to:

• Review your shipment needs and recommend the most efficient route and transport modes
• Coordinate each shipping stage or manage the entire journey for you
• Prepare the required documentation to keep your cargo moving without delay

Our goal is to help you ship your goods smarter and faster.

Reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss how we can help ship your goods efficiently and seamlessly while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.