How intermodal transport contributes to sustainable development
Meeting climate change targets is a priority for the European Union. With this in mind, the government is introducing new measures to reduce emissions in the logistics sector. One of these is intermodal transport, the development of which will help make the industry more environmentally friendly.
Digital freight forwarder Sennder has signed an agreement with Mercitalia Logistics. The partnership will enable the road haulier to implement sustainable intermodal solutions. Mercitalia is a subsidiary of the Italian State Railway.
The benefits of intermodal transport
The company will also provide freight forwarding services to Poste Italiane as part of the agreement. The cooperation between the companies will enable the integration of road and rail transport processes. The intermodal approach has some sustainability benefits:
- the use of different modes of transport reduces carbon dioxide emissions;
- the approach optimises delivery times;
- it allows a flexible response to market pricing;
- the approach expands service options for customers;
- it increases the efficiency of export and import transport.
Sennder has extensive experience in road logistics, while Mercitalia can offer solutions in the rail sector. The partnership between the companies will enable the development of efficient approaches to green operations. Other operators will also use these approaches in the future. The agreement aims to find the best way to deliver goods that will help to:
- optimise costs;
- organise transport flows efficiently;
- improve routes to popular destinations;
- reduce carbon emissions.
As part of the cooperation, Sennder will take over the first and last mile operations as part of the cooperation. In this case, the operator will transport the raw materials using environmentally friendly materials. The trucks will run on hydrotreated vegetable oil. Electric vehicles will also be used for deliveries. In this way, the company can track the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during transport.
Sennder’s sustainable operations strategy
Sennder pays particular attention to reducing its environmental impact. Innovative technologies that help optimise logistics processes are at the heart of its operations. According to David Notaker, the company’s managing director, the partnership with Mercitalia will create solutions for the development of sustainable transport. One such solution is currently the development of intermodal transport. Europe is also in an excellent position to implement environmentally friendly transport solutions.
Notaker believes that the combination of advanced technologies and different modes of transport can produce excellent results. The company uses digital process management in its operations. This includes monitoring transport movements in terms of their environmental impact. This approach eliminates empty kilometres and reduces carbon emissions.
