Intermodal Transportation

by | Jul 20, 2015 | Freight Damage, Intermodal, Safety | 0 comments

Making the transition from shipping freight via truckload to intermodal transportation can be difficult if you don’t fully understand some basic differences between the two shipping models

Intermodal Weight

Intermodal weight is the most common issue for new intermodal users. The Federal Gross Vehicle Weight Limit of 80,000 lbs. for tractor/chassis/container is the same for both intermodal and truckload. The difference lies in the 53’ container-on-flat-car (COFC) domestic intermodal container which is roughly 2,500 lbs. heavier than a standard dry van. This translates into the recommended maximum bill of lading weight at 42,500 lbs. for an intermodal load versus the 45,000 lbs. shippers are accustomed to for a truckload shipment.

intermodal

Damage Prevention

Though intermodal is ‘just like truckload’, there are preparations with intermodal shipping that must be made to ensure a safe, damage-free move.

Unlike truckload shipments, intermodal loads experience harmonic vibrations that can move the load vertically, longitudinally, and laterally. The vibration is not intense, but it is consistent.Once the intermodal container is loaded on the train and the train begins to move, the harmonic vibration will begin to move unsecured freight to any open space in the container.

The preventative measure you should take against harmonic vibrations on an intermodal load is proper blocking and bracing. Often times, shippers believe that the resources needed will offset the transportation savings or that blocking and bracing is just “too hard.” However, remember that your main goal is to restrain the movement of freight to open free spaces within the intermodal container.

Logistick, Inc. makes the intermodal transition simple and cost-effective, with our Intermodal Strap®. The Intermodal Strap® is made from a durable recycled plastic keeping our production costs low to offer you, our customer, the best value. It is specifically designed to block and brace a wide variety of regular or irregular shaped freight in corrugated or flat-walled, domestic intermodal shipping containers making blocking and bracing easy.

20WideShotSimply attach the intermodal straps opposite from each other to the container wall, load the cargo, and attach the banding.Have more than one shipment in a load? The Intermodal Straps are also great for segregating stop-off shipments.

Check out the Intermodal Strap on our products page and see how we can ensure you a safe, damage-free move.

Check out all of our products, we offer a variety of one-way disposable cargo restraint systems to block and brace in the back of trailers or containers to assure a damage free shipment.

Source : InTek Freight and Logistics

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