Introduction to intermodal

First available in TMW Operations V.16.10

The term intermodal usually designates the process of transporting loaded freight containers by several modes of transportation such as ship, rail, air, or truck. However, this feature could be used with moving interline trailers by two or more modes of transportation. Modes of transportation include:

  • Air
    When containers are transported by air, they are loaded into large cargo planes.

  • Truck
    When containers are transported by truck, they are mounted to a wheeled chassis, which is similar to a flatbed trailer.

  • Ship
    When containers are transported by ship, they are loaded onto container ships. These ships are custom built to hold containers and usually transport goods by sea.

  • Rail
    When containers or chassis are transported by rail, they mounted to a flat rail car known as a well car.

This illustration describes the basic truck intermodal process.

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When working with intermodal orders, you can:

  • Create new containers/chassis profiles as you assign them to intermodal orders

  • Create/manage port locations

  • Create/manage ISO containers

  • Copy options specific to intermodal orders

  • Track/update chassis/containers as they orders through the system

Most communication between drivers or carriers and the dispatcher happen through EDI, TotalMail, or another form of electronic communication.

Terms used with intermodal functionality

ISO Container

ISO containers, also known as intermodal containers, are large metal boxes designed for transporting freight between countries.

ISO Container Registration Number

The International Standards Organization (ISO) requires all intermodal containers to have a unique registration number.

This number consists of three parts:

  • SCAC code

  • Six digit suffix

  • Check digit

This illustration shows a sample ISO container registration number.
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SCAC code

The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is used to identify transport freight companies. These codes are specific to a single company and show container ownership.

Note: The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns these codes to freight shipping companies.

Six digit suffix

Company assigned container ID number.

Check digit

A single numeric (0-9) digit located at the end of the ISO container registration number. This digit corresponds to the SCAC code and Container ID. Companies use this digit to track intermodal containers.

Off Hire expiration

The Off Hire expiration makes the assigned container unavailable. This prevents you from accidentally assigning it to another order until it is returned to the port.

Note: You add off hire options to the TrlExp and TrlStatus labels.

In Service expiration

The In Service expiration makes the assigned container available for dispatch. The system sets the End Date to one minute before the time recorded in the Earliest Pickup field.

Interline trailers

Trailers moved from the point of origin to a destination using two or more transportation companies.

Port

Ports are locations from where your drivers or carriers pick up/drop off containers. You set up ports in the Company Profile window. For details, see Creating port locations.