Intermodal • Rail • Barge • Road transport • Customs

Intermodal transport with overview, flexibility and practical guidance

When goods need to be moved efficiently, reliably and smartly across multiple modes of transport, Trans Ocean Pacific forwarding B.V. offers practical intermodal transport solutions. By aligning sea freight, rail, barge and road transport properly, TOP helps companies keep control over planning, costs and execution.

For many companies, intermodal transport is a key solution within the international supply chain. It is suitable for shipments where goods do not travel from A to B with a single mode, but via a combination of sea freight, rail, barge and road transport. TOP guides the process from request to delivery and ensures the individual links connect properly.

Why intermodal transport matters for international trade

Intermodal transport means goods are carried by multiple modes of transport during a single logistics journey. Think of a container arriving in Rotterdam by sea freight, continuing inland by barge or train, and finally being delivered to the end destination by truck.

Figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) show how large these flows are. In 2025, inland vessels carried 332.8 million tonnes of goods on Dutch inland waterways, with container transport by barge growing. And in 2024, 18.3 million tonnes of goods in containers travelled by rail — nearly half of all Dutch rail freight. Rail and barge are therefore not a niche, but full-fledged links in the container chain.

The strength of intermodal transport lies above all in flexibility and chain management. By combining modes smartly, companies can respond better to capacity, costs, sustainability and accessibility. This makes intermodal transport attractive for both SMEs and multinationals with regular goods flows.

At the same time, intermodal transport requires oversight. Arrival times, terminals, documents, customs formalities, transhipment moments, rail or barge planning and on-carriage all need to connect properly. That is where TOP helps: not by making it more complicated, but by guiding the process in an understandable and practical way. Useful background can also be found on our pages about container handling and customs matters.

What companies often underestimate about intermodal transport

Many companies mainly associate intermodal transport with cost savings. That can certainly be an advantage, but the biggest difference often lies in proper planning and coordination. When transhipment, documents or delivery arrangements are not properly organised, one link can delay the entire shipment.

The complexity is also sometimes underestimated. An intermodal shipment consists of several parts: main transport, terminal handling, rail or barge transport, customs, storage and on-carriage. TOP therefore looks not at one leg, but at the entire process from departure to delivery. Clear agreements on delivery terms via Incoterms prevent misunderstandings about who arranges and pays for what.

Another point of attention is the choice between rail, barge and road transport. Not every shipment calls for the same solution. Which choice fits best depends on destination, volume, planning, costs, sustainability and the flexibility required.

Intermodal transport: rail or barge?

In intermodal transport, the choice between rail and barge matters. TOP advises which solution fits your shipment, planning and destination. Below is a simple comparison.

Intermodal transport in numbers: sources and methodology

The figures below provide context on the role of rail and barge in the Dutch container chain. They come from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and were verified for this page in August 2026.

How TOP organises intermodal transport in practice

TOP organises intermodal transport for import and export shipments. It starts with a proper assessment: what needs to be transported, where does it come from, what is the destination, which modes make sense, which documents are required and what schedule is realistic? Based on this, TOP determines the right combination of modes.

Thanks to years of experience and established partners, TOP can advise on the best solution for your shipment. This is not only about arranging transport, but also about the communication around it. You want to know where you stand, what needs to happen and when action is required. Through the TOP platform with API integrations, status data can also be shared with your own systems in real time.

Companies that import or export regularly often need a single point of contact that keeps the overview. TOP combines intermodal transport with additional services such as sea freight, air freight, customs handling, warehousing, rail, barge and road transport. If you want TOP to handle customs clearance as well, you can easily arrange the required authorisation online via apply for direct representation.

Want to know which solution fits your goods flow? You can directly request a quote or prepare your shipment online via book a shipment. Prefer to discuss the best approach first? Then you can also schedule an introduction with TOP.

Which companies is TOP suitable for?

TOP is suitable for companies that trade internationally and need clear logistics guidance across multiple modes of transport. These can be SMEs that want to organise their import or export flows more smartly, but also multinationals with recurring goods flows and higher demands for planning, reporting and reliability.

Boards mainly want certainty and control over costs. Logistics managers want to know whether the planning is on track and whether execution is properly followed up. Procurement looks at price, terms and the reliability of partners. TOP understands that these interests come together in a single logistics chain.

That is why TOP works in an advisory and practical way. No unnecessary jargon, but clear explanations of choices, risks and next steps. Where intermodal transport is part of a broader logistics chain, TOP advises on combinations with other services such as customs, sea freight, air freight, warehousing, rail and barge. For general developments in the transport sector, TOP also refers where relevant to industry information from Transport en Logistiek Nederland.

Frequently asked questions about intermodal transport

What is intermodal transport?

Intermodal transport is the movement of goods via multiple modes of transport within one logistics journey, with the goods remaining in the same loading unit. Think of a combination of sea freight, rail, barge and road transport.

What is the difference between intermodal and multimodal transport?

In intermodal transport, the goods stay in the same loading unit, such as a container, which is transferred between modes. Multimodal transport is the broader term for transport using multiple modes, including when goods are reloaded along the way.

When do you choose intermodal transport?

Intermodal transport is suitable when goods need to be moved efficiently, reliably and smartly across multiple links. It is particularly attractive for international shipments, container flows and destinations where rail or barge is a good complement to road transport.

Is intermodal transport more sustainable?

Often, yes. Rail and barge generally emit less CO2 per tonne-kilometre than road transport, especially for larger volumes over longer distances. The exact saving depends on route, load factor and pre- and on-carriage; TOP makes this transparent per shipment.

Can TOP also help with customs and on-carriage?

Yes. TOP can combine intermodal transport with customs handling, storage, sea freight, air freight, rail, barge and road transport. This means your company does not have to coordinate all the individual links itself.

Conclusion: intermodal transport requires chain oversight

Intermodal transport is a strong solution for companies that want to move goods internationally across multiple modes of transport. But a good intermodal shipment is more than a set of loose links. The right preparation, clear communication, complete documentation and proper follow-up make the difference between fragmentation and control.

TOP helps companies with intermodal transport that is organised in a practical, clear and reliable way. From sea freight to rail and from barge to road transport: TOP advises, handles the execution and keeps an overview of the chain.

Want to know more about Trans Ocean Pacific forwarding? Visit the TOP homepage.

Last updated: August 2026. Figures: CBS inland shipping annual figures 2025 and rail freight 2024. Online findability and AI readiness of this page in collaboration with HEF Digital.