Terminal-centric logistics for integrated and profitable intermodal transport networks

This paper elaborates the need for intermodal terminals to pursue logistics integration in order to support the balance of flows on their rail shuttles and ultimately achieve a successful business. Port container shuttles in Europe are often marginal due to insufficient distances, short trains and import-dominated flows. The case study of a successful intermodal terminal in Sweden shows how various strategies can secure outbound full flows: an empty depot to provide containers for exporters and save the cost of sending empties to the port; dedicated rail-connected warehousing to provide containerisation of export flows that are then sent full to the port; balancing road haulage from terminal to warehouse with secondary distribution from warehouse to stores. On the sustainability side, this model has enabled the introduction of electric trucks because the company manages their own trucking and charging provision at the intermodal terminal, warehouse and stores. The conclusion of this study is that this success is only possible if all of these activities (rail shuttle, intermodal terminal, warehousing and haulage) are integrated within a single operator who is able to obtain these synergies both in long-term planning and in operations and revenue management. Thus, for increased modal share of intermodal transport as desired by policy makers, we need to favour such strategies of integration based on a model of terminal-centric logistics.