What is international combined transport?
Combined international transport is the movement of goods or passengers between two or more countries in which more than one mode of transport is used in a coordinated and sequential manner. This method is usually used to save money, increase speed, or access remote locations.
In general, it means delivering goods or passengers from one country to another using two or more means of transport such as road, rail, sea, or air, in an integrated and coordinated manner.
Example
Shipping goods from China to Iran: first by ship (sea) to Bandar Abbas, then by truck (road) to the final destination
Shipping cargo from Europe to Iran: by train (rail) to the border and then by truck into the country
Transportation of sensitive and urgent cargo: by ship + plane for greater speed on part of the route
International combined transport feature
Take advantage of each shipping method
🚚 + 🚆 + 🚢 + ✈️ May be combined in one route
🕒 Reduce time or cost compared to using a single method
📄 Requires management of international documents and permits
Benefits of combined international transport
- Reduced transportation costs for heavy and bulky loads
- High flexibility and access to points without direct rail or sea connections
- Increased security and reduced risk of cargo damage
Disadvantages of combined international transport
- Need for careful coordination between different shipping methods and companies
- More complexity in documentation and customs
- Time-consuming in case of multiple unloading and loading
In international combined transport, a single contract or bill of lading is usually used for the entire route so that the responsibility for transporting and clearing the cargo is unified and clear.