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myKN
Quote, book and get full control of your shipments.
Talk to an expert
We help you to navigate through your logistics questions.
Get in touchmyKN
Quote, book and get full control of your shipments.
Talk to an expert
We help you to navigate through your logistics questions.
Get in touchWhy choose intermodal?
Reduce costs and emissions while benefiting from dependable capacity with road-rail logistics solutions.
Move long-haul freight across North America by road and rail
If you are moving freight long distances across the U.S. by road, consider leveraging rail for the long-haul portion of the journey.
With the right end-to-end management, intermodal transportation combines the flexibility of road with the efficiency of rail, delivering consistent performance without compromise.
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The benefits of intermodal shipping
Reduces long-haul transportation costs
Lowers emissions by up to 75%* when compared to long-haul shipments that travel only via road transportation
Dependable long-distance capacity, even during peak seasons
Best practices for managing intermodal shipping
Intermodal transportation risks are mitigated by effective end-to-end management.
As an Intermodal Marketing Company, or IMC, Kuehne+Nagel is your single point of contact for your freight's entire journey.
Before your freight moves, we identify which lanes fit intermodal and build the right business case, set realistic transit times and lock in the routing, capacity and pricing structure that meets your needs.
While your freight is in transit, we maintain visibility and accountability at every handoff. Our digital platform, myKN, gives you real-time visibility of your shipments.
After delivery, we measure cost, service and emissions performance by lane, and use that data to make the next move better.
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Reliable, secure and flexible intermodal solutions built around your needs
Kuehne+Nagel’s intermodal transportation solutions are designed to make your logistics simpler, more efficient and more reliable.
You benefit from fully coordinated door-to-door transportation, where first-mile pickup and last-mile delivery are managed through seamless drayage coordination with major rail providers.
Take advantage of our intermodal solutions to move freight easily across borders between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. With continuous investments in our network and partnerships, you benefit from improved transit times and service reliability.
Your shipments are protected throughout transit by following strict load securement practices. Freight is stabilized using airbags (dunnage), load locks, and bracing systems, while proper palletization and secure loading techniques further reduce the risk of damage.
Stay in control with full visibility and enhanced security. Real-time, container-level tracking and EDI integration allow you to monitor your shipments at every stage, while continuous network monitoring and tailored security protocols provide added protection based on your cargo type and risk profile.
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With standard cargo insurance coverage of $150,000, your shipments are protected, with the option to increase coverage for higher-value freight. This gives you financial security while allowing flexibility based on your specific requirements.
You can further improve efficiency at your facilities with drop-trailer programs. By having trailers or containers positioned on-site, you can load and unload on your own schedule without waiting for live appointments. This reduces bottlenecks, increases productivity, and helps you streamline operations without adding extra costs.
Ready to make intermodal work for your business?
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Keep all the intermodal details at your fingertips
Whether you are evaluating your first intermodal lane or optimizing an existing network, our specialists can help identify the right approach.
Frequently asked questions
Intermodal shipping is a form of freight transportation that moves goods using multiple modes, such as rail freight and truck drayage, without handling the cargo when changing modes.
Intermodal is ideal for palletized freight and packaged goods, durable products with secure packaging, and shipments travelling more than 700 miles (1,125+ km). Common industries using intermodal include retail, consumer goods, food and beverages, and industrial commodities. An intermodal container typically holds up to 42,500 lbs (19,300 kg), depending on rail network requirements, and specific lane.
Transit times vary by lane and network capacity: some lanes match full-truckload (FTL) times, while others add roughly 1– 4 days. If you can allow slight flexibility, the trade is worth it: Intermodal delivers lower transportation costs and a reduced carbon footprint with reliable long-haul performance.
Intermodal typically achieves 90 – 95% on-time performance, compared with 95 – 98% for full truckload. Well-managed lanes see claims rates of around 1 – 3%, in line with the 1 – 2.5% typical of FTL, making intermodal a reliable choice for the right lanes.
Intermodal rail shipping can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% compared with long-haul trucking. According to the U.S. EPA**, freight rail emits approximately 22 g CO₂ per ton-mile versus about 65 g CO₂ per ton-mile for truck transport, making intermodal shipping one of the most sustainable options for long-haul freight.