If you’re involved in shipping goods—whether you’re a small business owner sending products overseas or a logistics manager at a large corporation—you’ve probably wondered how to make your supply chain more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. The answer often lies in combined transport. Simply put, combined transport is a shipping method that uses at least two different modes of transportation (like trucks, trains, ships, or planes) to move goods from origin to destination, with a single contract covering the entire journey. Unlike traditional “multimodal transport” (which can involve separate contracts for each leg), combined transport streamlines the process, making it easier to track, manage, and budget for your shipments.
Combined transport relies on integrating complementary modes of transportation, each chosen for its strengths in specific stages of the journey. The most common combinations focus on balancing speed, cost, and capacity. Here’s a breakdown of the key modes and how they work together:
- Trucks (Road Transport): Ideal for “first-mile” and “last-mile” delivery. Trucks excel at reaching remote locations, handling small to medium-sized shipments, and providing flexibility for pickups and drop-offs. For example, a furniture manufacturer in a rural area might use a truck to move products to a nearby train hub—this is the “first mile.”
- Trains (Rail Transport): Perfect for long-distance, overland hauls. Trains can carry large volumes of goods (like containers or bulk materials) at lower costs than trucks, with fewer emissions. A common combination is truck-to-train: after the first-mile truck trip, goods are loaded onto a train for a 500+ mile journey across the country.
- Ships (Maritime Transport): The backbone of international combined transport. Ships handle massive quantities of goods (via containers) across oceans at the lowest per-unit cost. A typical global route might be: truck (from factory to port) → ship (across the Atlantic) → truck (from foreign port to retail warehouse).
- Planes (Air Transport): Used for time-sensitive shipments (like medical supplies or high-value electronics). While air transport is more expensive, it’s often combined with trucks for short-haul legs. For instance, a pharmaceutical company might ship vaccines via plane from Europe to the U.S., then use trucks to deliver them to hospitals.
The goal is to leverage each mode’s strengths: trucks for flexibility, trains/ships for cost and capacity, and planes for speed.
Key Benefits of Using Combined Transport for Your Supply Chain
Switching to combined transport isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic choice that delivers tangible benefits. Here’s how it can improve your operations:
1. Cost Savings
By using cheaper modes (like rail or sea) for long hauls, you reduce reliance on expensive road or air transport. According to the International Union of Railways (UIC), rail transport costs 20-30% less per ton-mile than road transport for long distances. For example, a U.S. retailer shipping 10,000 units from Los Angeles to Chicago could save \(5,000-\)8,000 by using truck-to-train instead of full truckload (FTL) road transport.
2. Environmental Sustainability
Combined transport significantly cuts carbon emissions, a priority for businesses aiming to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals. The European Commission reports that rail transport emits 75% less CO₂ per ton-kilometer than road transport, while maritime transport emits 90% less than air transport. A case study from DHL found that a combined transport route (truck + ship) for goods from China to Germany reduced emissions by 40% compared to air freight.
3. Reliability and Reduced Risks
Long-haul road transport is prone to delays from traffic, weather, or driver fatigue. Rail and maritime transport are more predictable: trains run on fixed schedules, and ships are less affected by road-related issues. For example, a food distributor in Canada switched from truck-only transport to truck-to-rail for cross-country shipments and saw on-time delivery rates improve from 78% to 92%. Additionally, combined transport uses standardized containers, which reduce the risk of damage (containers protect goods from weather and handling).
4. Capacity for Large or Bulky Shipments
Trains and ships can handle far larger volumes than trucks or planes. A single freight train can carry the equivalent of 280 trucks, while a large container ship can hold over 24,000 20-foot containers (TEUs). This is crucial for industries like construction (shipping steel beams) or agriculture (shipping grain). A Brazilian soy exporter, for instance, uses truck-to-ship transport to move 50,000 tons of soybeans to European ports—something that would require 1,600+ trucks if using road-only transport.
Common Challenges of Combined Transport (and How to Overcome Them)
While combined transport offers many benefits, it’s not without hurdles. Here are the most common challenges and practical solutions:
Challenge | Solution |
Coordination Complexity: Managing multiple transport modes can be overwhelming. | Use a third-party logistics (3PL) provider with expertise in combined transport. 3PLs handle scheduling, documentation, and communication between carriers, so you don’t have to. For example, a small e-commerce business might partner with a 3PL like Kuehne + Nagel to manage their truck-to-ship shipments from Asia to the U.S. |
Infrastructure Gaps: Some regions lack rail hubs or modern ports, limiting route options. | Research “intermodal terminals”—facilities designed to transfer goods between modes (e.g., truck-to-train). In the U.S., the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) maintains a map of intermodal terminals, helping businesses find accessible routes. For remote areas, consider partnering with local carriers that have connections to major hubs. |
Documentation and Compliance: Each mode may require different paperwork (e.g., customs forms for ships, safety certificates for trains). | Use digital platforms like CargoWise or Descartes to centralize documentation. These tools auto-generate necessary forms and ensure compliance with international regulations (like the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS). |
Tracking Difficulties: It can be hard to monitor goods as they switch between modes. | Choose carriers that offer real-time tracking via GPS or IoT (Internet of Things) devices. For example, Maersk (a major shipping line) provides customers with a mobile app that shows the location of their container—whether it’s on a truck, train, or ship. |
Real-World Example: How a Retailer Improved Efficiency with Combined Transport
Let’s look at a concrete case to see combined transport in action. XYZ Retail, a U.S.-based clothing brand, used to ship all its goods from manufacturing facilities in Vietnam to its U.S. warehouses via air freight. While this was fast, it was expensive (costing $15 per unit) and had high emissions (12 kg of CO₂ per unit).
In 2023, XYZ switched to a combined transport route:
- First Mile: Trucks picked up goods from Vietnamese factories and delivered them to the Port of Ho Chi Minh City (50 miles away).
- Maritime Leg: Goods were loaded onto a container ship for a 30-day journey to the Port of Los Angeles.
- Last Mile: Trucks transported the containers from Los Angeles to XYZ’s warehouses in Chicago and New York.
The results were impressive:
- Cost Reduction: Shipping costs dropped to $5 per unit (a 67% savings).
- Emissions Cut: CO₂ per unit fell to 2 kg (an 83% reduction).
- Reliability: On-time deliveries stayed consistent (90%), thanks to Maersk’s tracking and scheduled ship departures.
XYZ’s logistics manager noted: “Combined transport didn’t just save us money—it helped us meet our 2025 carbon reduction goal two years early. The key was partnering with a 3PL that handled all the coordination, so we could focus on our core business.”
Yigu’s Perspective as a Sourcing Agent
As a sourcing agent who works with businesses to find and ship products from global suppliers (especially in Asia), I’ve seen firsthand how combined transport transforms supply chains. Many of my clients start with air freight because they think it’s the only way to meet tight deadlines—but once they switch to combined transport (truck + ship + truck), they’re surprised by the cost savings and reliability.
One common mistake I see is businesses avoiding combined transport because they fear complexity. But with the right 3PL partner, it’s actually simpler than managing multiple truck shipments. For example, a client in the electronics industry used to spend 10+ hours per week coordinating truck deliveries from China to Europe. After switching to combined transport (truck to Shanghai Port, ship to Rotterdam, truck to their warehouse), they reduced that time to 2 hours per week—freeing up their team to focus on sourcing better products.
Another benefit for my clients is sustainability. More and more buyers (especially in Europe and North America) ask about a supplier’s carbon footprint. By using combined transport, my clients can market their products as “eco-friendly” without raising prices. It’s a win-win: better for the planet, better for their bottom line.
FAQ About Combined Transport
1. Is combined transport only for large businesses?
No! Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can benefit too. Many 3PLs offer “less-than-container load” (LCL) options for combined transport, meaning you don’t have to fill an entire container. For example, a small bakery shipping 500 kg of cookies from France to the U.S. can share a container with other businesses, making combined transport affordable.
2. How long does combined transport take compared to air freight?
It’s slower, but the trade-off is cost and sustainability. For example, shipping from China to the U.S. via air freight takes 2-3 days, while combined transport (truck + ship + truck) takes 30-40 days. However, if your business can plan ahead (e.g., ordering inventory 2-3 months in advance), the slower timeline is often worth the 60-70% cost savings.
3. What types of goods are best for combined transport?
Non-perishable goods (like clothing, electronics, furniture, or bulk materials) work best. Perishable goods (like fruits or meat) can use combined transport if they’re shipped with refrigerated containers (“reefers”), but air freight may still be better for very short shelf lives.
4. Is combined transport more secure than other shipping methods?
Yes, because it uses sealed containers that are rarely opened during transit. Containers are also tracked via GPS, so you can monitor their location 24/7. Additionally, rail and maritime transport have lower theft rates than road transport (trucks are more vulnerable to hijacking in some regions).
5. How do I choose the right combined transport route for my business?
Start by defining your priorities: cost, speed, or sustainability. Then, work with a 3PL or carrier to compare routes. For example:
- If cost is key: Choose truck + ship (cheapest for long distances).
- If speed is key: Choose truck + air (faster than ship, more expensive).
- If sustainability is key: Choose truck + rail (lowest emissions for overland hauls).
A good provider will also help you navigate customs and documentation, ensuring a smooth process.
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