Benefits of intermodal transport

Until recently, the price and quality of intermodal transport were not always what customers expected. But things have changed, and the segment of intermodal or combined transport is the fastest growing segment in the transport sector. More and more companies are looking for alternative and sustainable multimodal solutions for transporting their goods. At the same time, they expect reliability, seamless quality and cost-effectiveness in order to increase productivity along the entire transport chain.
As an intermodal operator with a reliable European network for rail and barge transport, IFB offers such a sustainable alternative with prices and quality comparable to – or better than – other transport modes.
Thanks to our broad and qualitative network with high-frequency connections and our customer-oriented organisation with central and local operational support, IFB convinces new customers to make the modal switch to combined transport.

IFB helps you reduce your carbon footprint substantially

The different transport modes used in the transportation of freight have very different energy intensity and carbon-emission profiles. Rail and barge transport are the least energy consuming transport modes. Trucking is two to four times more energy-intensive than rail.
For example: a train running from Dourges (France) to Segrate (Italy) three times a week is equivalent to some 7800 trucks per annum. Apart from avoiding road congestion, this train emits +-11000 tons less CO2 per year when compared to road transport.

By balancing loads optimally between the different transport modes, with rail and barge for the main distance of the journey, customers can benefit from a more environmentally friendly and efficient means of transport.

Combined transport offers many benefits, either contributing to the environment or offering good business solutions. IFB’s combined transport solutions:
 

• largely increase flexibility for customers as containers can be used in any transport mode or storage setting,

• reduce investments in own bogies,

• substantially decrease energy consumption and CO2 emissions
  (also because of the capacity to carry large volumes),

• contribute to reducing congestion on European roads and highways,

• promote improved capacity planning,

• can readily be integrated into the logistics chain,

• offer high-frequency connections on European networks with close follow-up,

• (can easily be followed through a specific tracking & tracing system,)

• are safe in various areas: low accident risks and high degree of freight and cargo safety during transport.

As a provider of container transport via rail and barge across Europe, IFB can offer the most appropriate combination of transport modes for moving your goods while reducing your carbon footprint.  Through its presence in the main harbours in Belgium, IFB is the ‘green’ link between other continents and Europe.