ABSTRACT
While some degree of multimodalism (the use of multiple modes) has existed throughout history, intermodalism in the modern era is a relatively new phenomenon. During the mid-1980s, carriers operating in the transpacific trade were suffering from excessive tonnage and lower rates. To increase its cargo volumes, American President Lines (APL) formed the first transcontinental double-stack train services, recognising that an intermodal routing provided a ten-day service advantage over an all-water service through the Panama Canal to New York. While the transit time was important, APL also offered more services to the shipper as the customer could receive a single through bill of lading while knowing that APL had committed service schedules to deliver the cargo.
