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Road plus rail offers a more scalable and flexible transport service

When looking for cost-effective, fuel-efficient and reliable service, intermodal shipping may be right for your supply chain.

Intermodal increases your supply chain versatility by rethinking the possibilities for end-to-end delivery. It is a more fuel-efficient, cost-effective way to move freight in longer haul situations vs standard truckload. Get the flexibility of truck transport with the competitive rates of rail.

Tap into the North American rail network by partnering with our intermodal experts.

As a top Intermodal Marketing Company (IMC), Kuehne+Nagel purchases capacity directly from railroad and trucking providers. We use equipment from multiple sources to offer solutions that help you diversify transport modes with a lower carbon footprint.

train tracks

Road and rail combine the best of both worlds

Intermodal shipping offers seamless end-to-end service, with trucks managing the first and last mile and trains handling the long-haul segment.

Switching the long-haul portion of freight transit to rail significantly reduces carbon emissions, offering a powerful option for meeting sustainability goals.

Access North America’s rail network with real-time shipment visibility, improved drayage options and lower costs.

The advantages of intermodal container shipments

  • Real-time visibility provides maximum shipment transparency

  • Access to all North American railroads for ultimate flexibility and consistency

  • Robust network of drayage providers making the first and last mile a seamless experience

  • Reduce carbon footprint by converting traditional truckloads to intermodal service

How intermodal services work

Using intermodal shipping gives you door-to-door services via truck and rail, even when you don’t have access to tracks at your facility. Trucks handle the first and last mile of your shipment, with trains taking the long-haul portion in between.

Road: The trucking company brings you an empty container and, when loaded, takes it to the rail ramp (drayage).

Rail: The railroad ships the container from the origin to the destination rail ramp.

Road: At the destination rail ramp, the container is transferred back onto a truck for final delivery.

Let road and rail shipping give your supply chain a sustainable edge

Even though intermodal may add a day or two to your freight’s transit time, the environmental tradeoff is substantial. Transport by rail is four times more fuel-efficient than trucking alone. As an example, if you shipped 100 truckloads from Los Angeles to Chicago annually, you could save 200+ tons of CO2.

Converting the long-haul portion of your transit to rail can positively impact sustainability goals