Detailed explanation of multimodal transport documents and international railway freight transport
Combined Transport Documents (CTD) are a type of document used for the shipment of goods involving multiple modes of transportation. Unlike the intermodal bill of lading in ocean freight, the CTD can be used without covering ocean freight and must cover at least two different modes of transportation.
The difference between intermodal transport bills of lading and multimodal transport documents
- Scope of use: The intermodal bill of lading is mainly used for combined transportation that combines ocean transportation with other modes of transportation, while the multimodal transport document is more extensive and applicable to any form of intermodal transportation.
- Issuer: The intermodal transport bill of lading is usually issued by the carrier, the captain or his agent; while the multimodal transport document is issued by the multimodal transport operator or his authorized representative, and the operator may Does not directly own the transportation vehicle, such as an NVOCC.
- Scope of liability: The issuer of the intermodal transport bill of lading is only responsible for the first leg of transportation for which he is responsible. In contrast, the issuer of the multimodal transport document is responsible for any transportation during the entire transportation process. Responsible for loss or damage.
International railway freight transport procedures and characteristics
International railway freight transport is a convenient and efficient way of transnational railway transportation, which allows goods to be transferred seamlessly between different countries without the involvement of the shipper or consignee. This method simplifies the process of national border handover, reduces the waste of manpower, material resources and time, and promotes the development of international trade.
Transportation procedures
- Trade contract preparation: The import and export company will send relevant documents to the shipping company according to the contract.
- Cargo preparation: The overseas shipping company develops a detailed transportation plan based on the cargo situation and submits it for approval.
- Consignment and loading: The outbound transportation company is responsible for filling in the international transport plan vehicle form and ultimately completing the consignment and loading of the goods.
Transportation classification
Based on the quantity of goods, international railway freight transport is divided into two forms: vehicle transport and less-than-truckload transport.
Shipping structure
The cost of intermodal transport goods includes basic freight, escort transportation fees, miscellaneous fees, etc. The payment methods vary according to the regulations of the origin, destination and countries the goods pass through.
China-Europe Railway Multimodal Transport Case Analysis
As one of the important logistics channels between China and Europe, the China-Europe (Xiamen) train embodies the advantages of multimodal transport. In particular, by joining the “Safe Intelligence Trade” project, the entire process of cargo monitoring and management from the originating station to the terminal station has been realized, greatly improving safety and efficiency.
Overview of the “Anzhimao” project
“Anzhimao” is the “China-EU Safe Smart Trade Route Pilot Plan”, which aims to ensure the safety and convenience of international trade by strengthening cooperation between China and Europe customs.
Participating ports
The project involves many important port cities and inland ports in China, and has established cooperative relationships with major ports in many European countries.
Enterprises benefit
Enterprises participating in “Safe Trade” can enjoy convenient measures including but not limited to rapid customs clearance and reduction of repeated inspections, which will help reduce costs and improve competitiveness.
To sum up, both multimodal transport documents and international railway freight transport are constantly promoting the development of global trade in a more efficient and safer direction.