Multi-Modal Routing

Rail transportation is best for bulk shipments and heavy goods moving over long distances. Trains carry massive volumes with lower costs than road transport. They also produce fewer emissions, making them more sustainable.

Industries like mining, agriculture, and energy depend on rail to move coal, grain, and raw materials. Rail networks connect major cities and ports, serving as a reliable middle ground between air and sea. TLI offers rail transport through our intermodal solutions, combining rail with trucks for full coverage.

The drawbacks include limited access to rail-connected areas and a lack of flexibility in transit time. Rail also requires trucks for last-mile delivery, adding an extra leg to the transport process. No worries though, this is easy for TLI to knock out for you.

Air transport is the fastest mode of transportation. It moves goods across countries and continents within hours. This makes it ideal for high-value, time-sensitive products such as medical supplies, electronics, and fashion items.

Businesses choose air freight for speed, security, and global reach. Fewer transfers mean less risk of damage, and shipments are closely tracked. TLI provides exceptional expedited air services for urgent shipments. The downside is cost. Air transport has the highest price per kilogram, limited cargo space, and sensitivity to weather disruptions. Its carbon footprint is also significant compared to other modes.

Maritime transport is the oldest and most cost-effective option for international freight. Ships carry massive amounts of bulk goods, raw materials, and manufactured products across oceans. More than 80% of global trade volume moves by sea.

Industries rely on maritime transport for large shipments of oil, coal, grains, and raw material. Container ships offer affordable shipping for manufactured goods. Through our ViewPoint TMS software TLI can have sensor devices placed with your freight to track the shipment with live GPS tracking during your cargo's transit. TLI partners with trusted forwarders to manage maritime logistics efficiently.

However, maritime is slow. Transit times can take weeks, and cargo faces risks like port delays, storms, and piracy. It is not suitable for perishable or urgent goods. Another important call out is to be sure you know your incoterm at the time of quoting.

Multimodal transportation combines two or more modes under a single contract. For example, goods may travel by ship, then rail, then truck before reaching the customer. This approach saves time and reduces costs.

Intermodal transport is similar but operates under separate contracts for each mode. For example the rail contract will have a seperate rate for that leg of the transport while the OTR motor carrier will have their own rate. Customers of TLI can however get a nice consolidated invoice. Both approaches optimize logistics by using the best transport type for each part of the journey. TLI specializes in multimodal shipping, coordinating all legs with live tracking and technology integration.

The challenge is coordination, however TLI excels at this. Multimodal shipping requires smooth transfers, proper containers, and reliable communication between modes. Delays in one stage can affect the entire chain. TLI keeps shippers informed of their shipment throughout its transit.