Modern logistics involves a wide range of transportation concepts that go beyond simply moving goods from point A to point B. Depending on the supply chain’s complexity, cost-efficiency goals and sustainability strategies, different transport modalities may be used. Here are the most commonly known “transport concepts” that you might encounter. Multimodality and intermodality being especially prevalent in European Union published papers.
Unimodal Transport
Unimodal transport involves the use of a single mode of transport—such as road, rail, sea, or air—from the point of origin to the final destination. The goods are not transferred between vehicles or transport methods, and the entire journey is covered under a single contract and managed by one transport operator. This approach is foundational in logistics and is well-defined in the Glossary for Transport Statistics by UNECE, Eurostat, and ITF.
Example:
A truck picks up a shipment at a warehouse in northern Finland and delivers it directly to a retailer in Helsinki. No mode change occurs during the journey.
Use Case:
Unimodal transport is ideal for relatively short distances or when simplicity, speed or minimal handling is a priority. It reduces administrative complexity and lowers the risk of cargo damage due to transshipment. However, for long-haul or international freight unimodal transport can be less cost-effective and less environmentally sustainable. The European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy highlights this as a key consideration in transport planning.
Multimodal Transport
Multimodal transport refers to the use of two or more different modes of transport within a single supply chain. Despite the mode changes, the operation is managed under a single contract or operator providing an integrated logistics solution. Unlike intermodal transport, goods are typically handled or repacked during transitions between modes.
Example:
Electronics are transported by ship from South Korea to Rotterdam, then transferred to rail for delivery to Germany and finally moved by truck to a retail hub. At each stage, the cargo is unloaded and reloaded between vehicles.
Use Case:
Multimodal transport is widely used in international logistics where no single mode can complete the entire journey. It offers flexibility in routing and can optimize costs by leveraging the strengths of each mode—such as the low cost of sea freight combined with the speed of rail and the flexibility of road transport. However, handling cargo at multiple points can increase the risk of damage or delay. For a breakdown of this concept, see the European Commission’s page on multimodal and combined transport.
Intermodal Transport
Intermodal transport is a specific type of multimodal transport where the cargo stays within the same transport unit such as a container, swap body, or semi-trailer for the entire journey. This means goods are not handled during mode transfers, even though multiple modes are used.
Example:
A container filled with textiles is loaded onto a ship in China, transferred by crane to a train in Europe and then placed on a truck for final delivery in Sweden—all without opening or unloading the container.
Use Case:
Intermodal transport is common in long-distance and international trade, especially where cargo integrity, security, and efficiency are key concerns. It reduces handling time and labor costs, lowers the risk of cargo damage and simplifies customs clearance at borders. Intermodal solutions are also central to sustainable logistics strategies, especially when they shift freight from road to rail or sea. More insights can be found in the European Commission’s intermodality overview.
Summary
| Modality | Number of Modes | Cargo Handling Between Modes | Contract Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unimodal | 1 | No | Single mode, single contract |
| Multimodal | 2 or more | Yes | Single contract |
| Intermodal | 2 or more | No (same unit) | Single or multiple contracts |
Understanding these transport modalities helps businesses and planners choose the right approach for each shipment balancing speed, cost, complexity and sustainability.
Looking Ahead: Research in the LOBRA Project
These transport modalities, unimodal, multimodal and intermodal are not just essential for understanding logistics in theory; they are also at the core of our practical research. As part of the LOBRA project, we are actively exploring how these transport concepts apply to real-world logistics and freight transport operations in Finland and across Europe.
Our work focuses on analyzing how different transport chains are structured, how modal choices are made and how transport systems can be optimized for efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. By studying these modalities in depth, we aim to support better decision-making in logistics planning and contribute to the development of smarter, more connected transport networks.
Stay tuned as we continue to share insights from the LOBRA project and how these concepts play out in practice.
Project number: 404191