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Multimodal transportation
The choice of the type of a vehicle is determined not only by the price but also by the freight characteristics, transportation distance, requirements of the end user, and various force majeure circumstances, for example, natural disasters (torrential downpours, volcano eruptions, etc.). We always recommend to consult with our experts before placing an order and discuss with them the most suitable means of transportation as well as the best routes. In a fast growing economy, the cheapest freight forwarding may not always be the most cost effective or the safest one (freight insurance covers all cargos, but safe delivery of the goods is usually more important than the coverage of the loss).
We therefore provide our customers with different price estimates of several ways and means of transportation as well as recommend the most advantageous variant.
MULTIMODAL FREIGHT FORWARDING
SPEED. Clients who need a particularly speedy delivery of their freight choose the combined air and road transport.
LONG DISTANCE. Intercontinental (for example, Asia – Europe or Europe – America) shipments are mainly performed by cargo vessels, while from the designated port they continue their journey by rail or road transport.
HEAVY WEIGHT AND/OR HIGH-VOLUME FREIGHT. It's worth considering the benefits of multimodal transport even for relatively short distances in Europe. For example, the cargo may be carried by a ferry from Scandinavia to Germany and by a truck from the port to the final destination.
For the most effective multimodal transportation, it's critical to plan as exact schedule as possible and stick to it thoroughly. Long-standing experience of our logistics professionals allows them to develop meticulous transportation schemes and quickly solve force majeure issues.
ROAD TRANSPORT
Road transport is especially well developed in Europe and Middle East. We use it for about 70% of our freight forwarding orders. We offer a truly wide range of cargo vehicles:
- Temperature controlled trucks (also known as refrigerated trucks) carry perishable goods, such as food products, plants, etc.;
- Different size, volume and gauge tent trailers, semi-trailers and large road trains are used to transport diverse industrial, electronic, construction or household goods, furniture and finishes, etc.;
- Out of gauge and heavy weight cargo is transported on platforms and special semi-trailers;
- Tanks carry liquid freight ranging from raw food materials to industrial liquids;
- Dry bulk freight is transported by grain or dry bulk trucks.
AIR TRANSPORT
Air freight transportation is typically the fastest shipping method. Air transport is usually preferred when the cargo is of particularly high value and/or relatively small/light or when it's the only possible way to carry the goods. Urgent shipments by air freight are quite expensive, but advance planning can help to diminish the costs even for air transportation. However, carrying goods by plane has certain inconveniences and limitations in terms of security and weight (maximum cargo weight is 18 tons).
MARITIME TRANSPORT
Maritime transport is by far the most beneficial to those clients who have to ship high volume and/or heavy weight cargo. It's cost effective to transport such freight by ferries and cargo ships both within Europe and between continents. Some of the most popular routes include trans-oceanic shipping from China, India, the USA, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea to Europe. We offer both FTL and LTL transportation by sea containers for our customers. The major disadvantage of maritime transport is time. It's the slowest mode of freight forwarding.
RAIL TRANSPORT
Rail freight transport is efficient for heavy load cargos. China – Europe is one of the fastest growing routes. Rail cargos travel on this route faster than by maritime transport and cheaper than by air; it's like a compromise scenario, amiably called The New Silk Road by some. Rail freight transport is also popular to carry goods from Europe to Russia and other eastern countries.