yhdistelmäkuljetus

Yhdistelmäkuljetus, also known as intermodal transport or combined transport, is a logistics method that utilizes at least two different modes of transport to move goods. This typically involves a combination of road, rail, and/or water transport. The key principle is to shift the long-distance haulage to more efficient and environmentally friendly modes like rail or sea, while road transport is used for the initial collection and final delivery of goods.

The primary benefit of yhdistelmäkuljetus lies in its efficiency and sustainability. By leveraging the strengths of each transport mode, it can reduce overall transit times and costs, especially for long-distance shipments. Rail and sea transport are generally more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions per ton-kilometer than road transport, leading to a smaller environmental footprint. Furthermore, it can alleviate road congestion and reduce wear and tear on road infrastructure.

In a typical yhdistelmäkuljetus chain, goods are loaded into standardized loading units, such as containers or swap bodies, at the point of origin. These units are then transported by truck to a rail terminal or port. From there, they are transferred to a train or ship for the main part of their journey. Upon arrival at the destination terminal or port, the loading units are again transferred to trucks for the final delivery to the customer. This seamless transfer between modes is facilitated by specialized equipment and infrastructure at intermodal terminals.