ABSTRACT
Transport is the vital link between the company and its procurement and sales markets. As a rule, a company can choose between five modes of transport to transport its goods: rail, road, water, air and pipeline. Combinations of these modes of transport are also possible; this is called intermodal or multimodal transport. Combined road-rail transport uses large-scale rail transport to cover the principal distance and small-scale road transport for the further distribution and collection of goods. Apart from logistical advantages, intermodal transport is also beneficial from an environmental perspective. Containers and swapbodies appear to be advantageous techniques both in economic and energy-saving terms. Companies already operating in the transport and logistics industry are being presented with new opportunities to improve their current performance and future prospects. The most prominent transport and distribution companies are acquiring national or regional carriers to build their own networks across Europe.
