Have you ever stopped to think about the power of multimodal transport for companies wanting to reduce logistical costs and improve the efficiency in the movement of loads?
By integrating different modes of transport, such as road, sea and air, it is possible to serve local and international markets with agility, optimizing the cold chain and guaranteeing the preservation of the perishable foods being transported.
Here we will talk more about how this multimodal strategy works and how it can improve the efficiency of your company when distributing perishable foods!
What is multimodal transport?
Multimodal transport is the junction of two or more modes of transport and components from one or more logistics contracts.
That means that, regardless of the type of modes used, the whole operation is coordinated by a multimodal transport operator (MTO), who takes responsibility for the whole journey of the perishable food, from the origin through to its final destination.
This approach maintains the efficiency of the logistics, in other words, reduces fuel costs, optimizes routes and even guarantees greater predictability of deliveries.
Another very important point is that this form of transport allows greater flexibility in the face of unforeseen circumstances, such as interruptions to land routes or weather alterations impacting the air or sea transport.
Stages and functioning
The functioning of the different modes has a well defined structure.
Firstly, there is the analysis of the load and the selection of the most suitable modes, taking into consideration time, cost, type of perishable food and destination. Then, the MTO organizes the documentation processing, contracts, insurance and risk management.
During the transport, there is integrated coordination of the transfers between modes, using tracking and monitoring technologies that guarantee the visibility of the load in real time.
Finally, the goods are delivered to the destination within the parameters required by the client.
Principal modes of transport
To deliver perishable foods to different countries, the following types of transport can be used:
- road: most used in Brazil, ideal for short and medium length journeys. This offers flexibility and is essential for the “last mile”;
- sea: indicated for large volumes and long distances, especially for imports and exports. This is the most economic solution, but is also the slowest;
- air: used for urgent, high value or high perishability loads. The cost is high, but it is the fastest.
Advantages of multimodal transport
Among the principal benefits of this type of transport are:
- reduction of costs: the combination of modes allows the selection of the most economic options for each stretch of the journey;
- agility and predictability: with better planning and control of transfers, there is less delay;
- safety of the cargo: the accompaniment in real time and the centralization of responsibility reduce logistics risks;
- optimization of resources: reduces the time of storage and unnecessary fleet use.
Multimodal and intermodal transport: is there a difference between them?
It is worth emphasizing that, although similar, these concepts have important differences.
In transport by more than one mode, there is a single contract with the operator, who takes responsibility for the whole chain, whereas in intermodal transport, each stretch is contracted independently, with separate responsibilities and documentation for each mode.
Composite transport by different modes in the foods industry
The foods industry, especially of perishables, depends on precise logistics. Products such as meats, fruits and dairy require rigorous temperature control, timing and handling.
In this context, the transport being done in different integrated modes allows the combination of air transport (for speed over long stretches) with road transport (for local distribution), whereas maritime transport is an effective option for exports on a large scale.
When allied with a well structured cold chain, this model ensures the integrity of the foods and the compliance with the quality standards required for consumer markets.
Trends and technologies to optimize cargo transport
The adoption of technologies such as the IoT (Internet of Things), Artificial Intelligence and the blockchain is transforming multimodal transport.
Onboard sensors monitor the temperature, humidity and location in real time, guaranteeing greater control over the journey and preventing losses. Solutions based on AI optimize routes, reduce waste and improve predictability of the delivery.
Sustainability is also a trend, by choosing routes that generate less carbon emissions, the use of biodegradable packaging and clean energy in the warehouses.
Find out about our temperature-controlled solution for transport of foods
At Emergent Cold LatAm, we are specialists in refrigerated ground logistics, ensuring the safe and efficient transport of perishable foods to ports and airports.
From this foundation, we connect our customers to maritime and air modes through integrated operations, delivering agility, safety, reliability, and compliance with the most demanding standards of the food industry.
Conclusion
Multimodal transport is a viable and strategic alternative for companies needing to integrate agility, efficiency and control of costs into their logistics operations.
In the perishable foods sector, this model is even more relevant, as it allows the integrity of products that require temperature control to be maintained, and to meet the highest quality standards.
With technology, innovation and sustainability, it is possible to transform logistics challenges into competitive advantages.
