Peak Season Pressure

It’s no secret that in the logistics industry, peak season brings increased freight volumes and added pressure to transportation networks. But what if some of that pressure could be avoided altogether? Intermodal is one way to add another transportation option to your network, unlocking additional capacity and helping ease the strain on your transportation strategy.

How Intermodal Strengthens a Peak-Season Strategy

Transportation availability can become more limited as shippers compete for resources. When truckload capacity tightens, waiting until the last minute can mean higher rates, fewer options, and service challenges. That’s why supply chain optionality is especially important as we move closer to the end of the year.

When adding rail into the equation, there are four main advantages to consider:

• Additional capacity: Rail can help move large volumes of freight while reducing reliance on over-the-road capacity. Planning ahead also gives logistics providers more time to coordinate equipment, drayage, and rail schedules before seasonal demand intensifies.
• Cost efficiency: Intermodal can be a cost-effective option for certain longer-distance shipments, specifically repeatable and predictable shipments. Evaluating the full door-to-door move can help shippers determine where intermodal makes financial sense.
• Flexibility: Having multiple transportation options gives shippers more ways to respond when conditions change. Intermodal can complement truckload and provide another option when certain lanes become more difficult to cover.
• Sustainability: Rail can substantially reduce emissions compared with moving the same long-haul freight entirely by truck, making intermodal an option for shippers looking to make progress toward sustainability goals.

Intermodal isn’t just a backup option when truckload gets tight—it provides real and proven benefits for shippers and can be a valuable part of a well-rounded transportation strategy.

Plan Before Capacity Gets Tight

With everything listed above, it’s important to keep in mind that the sooner you act, the better your chances are of securing capacity and reasonable rates. Thinking about alternatives only after a problem occurs puts shippers in a less favorable position. Shippers should already be evaluating their freight and identifying which shipments could be good candidates for intermodal.

What shipments qualify for this? Intermodal generally favors shipments moving 700+ miles, with repeatable volume, and some flexibility in transit time. However, these guidelines aren’t one-size-fits-all. As intermodal networks and service offerings continue to evolve, shippers may have more opportunities to incorporate rail into their transportation strategies.

Not Every Shipment Belongs on Rail—and That’s the Point

Intermodal isn’t the right solution for every shipment. Highly time-sensitive freight, short-haul moves, or shipments with frequent last-minute changes may be better suited for truckload.

The goal isn’t to replace truckload, but to determine which mode makes the most sense for each shipment. Intermodal can complement the other modes shippers are already using and help create a more flexible transportation network.

Knichel’s Intermodal Expertise

With direct relationships and contracts with Class I railroads, Knichel Logistics can help shippers determine which freight is best suited for intermodal and identify opportunities to incorporate rail into their transportation strategy.

Peak season will always bring challenges, but having more transportation options can help shippers navigate them with greater flexibility. By incorporating intermodal into their planning, businesses can create a more adaptable strategy before capacity becomes a constraint.

Explore Knichel Logistics’ intermodal solutions and find out which of your lanes may be a fit.