Rail freight and multimodal transport — what to pay attention to?
Choosing rail or multimodal transport for shipments to Central Asia depends on several factors: the type of goods, shipment size, receiver preferences, and wagon availability. Rail freight and multimodal solutions are becoming increasingly popular — especially for shipments to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.
1. How to efficiently use wagon space?
Loading a rail wagon differs from loading a truck — most wagons are loaded through side doors. Their height dictates how the cargo must be arranged.
If pallets are too tall, upper layers can be temporarily removed during loading and restacked inside the wagon. For low, non-stackable pallets, installing an additional platform may be considered — it’s costly but effectively increases loading capacity.
For boxed goods, depalletizing and stacking the boxes directly can maximize wagon space.
2. What influences the rail tariff?
The freight price depends not only on weight and route but also on customs codes. For every shipment, the weight assigned to each code must be provided. Even a minor change — like adding a new customs code with a few kilograms — can affect the final rate.
Clever Logistics recommends consulting the tariff before loading to avoid surprises and better plan the shipping budget.
3. Receiver’s responsibilities — what needs to be agreed in advance?
In multimodal transport, the receiver is usually responsible for:
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paying station fees at the destination,
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unloading the wagon,
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delivering the goods to the final warehouse.
That’s why it’s essential for the receiver to understand and confirm their responsibilities early in the planning phase. At Clever Logistics, we always address this before preparing the final offer.
When is multimodal transport cost-effective?
Multimodal transport is particularly beneficial for large shipments — from 40 to 68 tons. For smaller loads, road transport is usually a better option. Multimodal shipping also enables the use of wide-gauge railways and avoids road transit restrictions.
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