Combined transport refers to the movement of cargo using two or more modes of transport under a single contract or bill of lading. This method streamlines international shipping by coordinating the entire journey through one logistics provider or carrier.
- Single contract: One transport document covers the entire shipping route, even when switching between modes.
- Multiple carriers or routes: Goods move through different carriers or transport legs, such as “sea + rail + truck.”
- Improved efficiency: Reduces handling, lowers costs, and shortens transit times by utilizing the most optimal routes.
- Multimodal transport: Leverages multiple transport modes under a single contract and carrier.
- Intermodal transport: Also involves multiple modes but may use separate contracts for each leg.
- Combined transport: Often used as a general term, but in practice, it’s more aligned with multimodal logistics, with integrated routing and responsibility.
