Intermodal transport is the transfer of a load between road, rail and sea in the same loading unit. Offering a cost and emissions advantage over long distances, this model places additional demands on the trailer: the vehicle will not just be towed; it will be lifted by crane, seated onto a wagon, and lashed on a ship's deck. A standard road trailer is not designed for these loads.
Rail Compatibility
The chassis of a trailer to be craned onto a wagon must have reinforced lifting edges, and the body must carry the torsional loads during lifting without damage. Conformity of the vehicle's dimensions and equipment to the rail profile is documented via a coding system; a trailer without this coding cannot board the train at an intermodal terminal.
Ro-Ro and the Road Side
On a sea voyage the trailer is secured to the deck and fixed against marine conditions: a sufficient number of adequately rated lashing points, sturdy landing legs and a corrosion-resistant substructure are essential. On the road side, meanwhile, the vehicle must retain all the requirements of standard operation — intermodal equipment must not steal from load capacity or usability.
- Lift-reinforced chassis and documented rail-compatibility coding
- Marine lashing points and strengthened landing legs
- Coating and material choice suited to a saline environment
- Compatibility with the target routes' terminal equipment, verified in advance
A correctly chosen intermodal trailer opens the door to three transport modes with a single vehicle; a wrong choice keeps the vehicle waiting where it is most expensive — at the terminal.