Intermodal operation : Cargo moving from Leicester in UK to Pretoria in South Africa – Cargo is packed in Leicester and moved by truck to the port of Felixstowe by a transport service provider (could also be termed as an Intermodal service provider) under the employ of the shipper..
intermodal
From Felixstowe, the carrier takes responsibility of the movement of the cargo to the discharge port in South Africa – say Durban..
From Durban port the consignee uses their transport service provider (could also be termed as an Intermodal service provider) to move the cargo by rail from to Pretoria Rail Terminal followed by a road move to their premises or a full road move from Durban port to their premises in Pretoria..
The rail and road service may be provided by the same transport service provider or could be done by two different service providers..
In this case, the carrier issues a Port to Port Bill of lading, and the whole operation is called an Intermodal Operation as it involves several contracts :
Between Seller or Buyer and Transport service provider for road/rail movement from Leicester to Felixstowe
Between Seller or Buyer and Carrier for sea movement from Felixstowe to Durban
Between Seller or Buyer and Transport service provider(s) for rail/road movement from Durban to Pretoria
The costs/risks for such contracts will of course depend on the Incoterms® used for this trade..