Supply Chain Digital Magazine June 2024 | Page 97

CREDIT : ITS LOGISTICS and Intermodal at ITS Logistics , says rail and intermodal transportation is coming into play .
“ With the recent headwinds facing ocean container shipping in the world – Red Sea diversions , closure of the Port of Baltimore and potential International Longshoremen ’ s Association ( ILA ) strikes on the horizon – rail is very important to the movement of goods ,” he adds .
“ With those three challenges , shippers are moving significant volumes to ports on the US West Coast and then using interior point intermodal ( IPI ) to get those goods to the US east coast to be absorbed into those distribution centres and warehouses .”
Rail and intermodal provides numerous sustainability benefits Already a strategic priority for organisations based around the world , conversations surrounding environmental preservation look set to amplify in years to come . Paul ’ s belief is that sustainability and decreasing costs are today the two largest benefits of rail and intermodal transportation , with shippers embarking on determined efforts to reduce their fossil fuel consumption .
Meanwhile , Simon ’ s take is that rail will increasingly become a default choice for high-volume , long-distance needs given its ability to move large volumes of freight in a sustainable manner . supplychaindigital . com 97