Intermodal is the movement of cargo from origin to destination

by several modes of transport where each of these modes have a

different transport provider or entity responsible, each with its own
independent contract.. Multiple carriers during a single journey
Multimodal is the movement of cargo from origin to destination
by several modes of transport where each of these modes have a
different transport provider or entity responsible, but under a single
contract.. Single carrier during a single journey
Simply put, the key functions of both terminologies are the same,
but the differentiation lies in the contract and responsibility of the
movement..
Explanation :
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..

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..
Multimodal 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 carrier..

Cargo moves from Felixstowe to the discharge port in South Africa

say Durban..
From Durban port a transport service provider (could also be termed
as an Intermodal service provider) under the employ of the carrier
moves the cargo by rail from to Pretoria Rail Terminal followed by a
road move to the consignees premises or a full road move from
Durban port to consignees 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..
Here, neither the seller nor the buyer are arranging any contracts
other than their contract of carriage with the carrier..
In this case, the carrier issues a Combined Transport Bill of
Lading or a Multimodal Bill of Lading, and the whole operation is
called a Multimodal Operation and it involves a single contract :

 Between Seller or Buyer and Carrier for sea movement from

Felixstowe to Durban
The costs/risks for such contracts will of course depend on
the Incoterms used for this trade..
More often than not, the above movements on the land leg are
outsourced by the carrier to transport service providers as a lot of
the carriers dont have their own infrastructure to carry out these
movements.. However, here the carrier enters into direct contract
with their service providers..
Have you had any issues dealing with Intermodal or
Multimodal transport..??