Intermodal Freight
What is intermodal freight? Intermodal freight moves in a shipping container between rail, ship, and truck without being unloaded between modes — the container is the cargo unit.
Full definition
Intermodal saves cost on long hauls by leveraging rail for the middle portion of the trip. A typical container moves: shipper-to-rail (drayage by truck), rail line-haul (Class I railroad), rail-to-consignee (drayage by truck).
Drayage carriers handle the first and last mile. Chassis availability, port congestion, and demurrage often define drayage profitability more than the per-load rate.
Intermodal volumes concentrate in Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, LA/LB, Newark, Savannah, and Houston. Intermodal finance products favor working capital and chassis financing.