An Assessment of the Present Intermodal Transportation System (Rail–Sea) in China

Intermodal transport is the transportation of goods by at least two different modes of transport, that is, from a place in one country where the goods are dispatched to another place in a different country where the goods are delivered. Intermodal transport is playing a key role in the transportation of goods in the present day transportation world. Noting that intermodal transport involves atleast two different mode of transport it is apparent that to be effective and to serve the needs of shippers there have to be proper co-ordination between the different mode of transport involved particularly in areas of communication and transfer of goods at freight terminals. To enhance the smooth operation of intermodal transport infrastructures such as cargo terminals, warehouses, good railroads networks connected to the seaports should be in place. Handling facilities and proper management are also required. All these with good logistics no doubt brings about an effective intermodal transport system that in turn pleases shippers. For what the shippers want is on-time delivery of goods, efficiency and safety which inevitably reduces the burden on them incurring extra-charges. There is no doubt, if any at all little that, China since the economic reforms initiated by elder statesman Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s has witnessed and is still witnessing increase volume in her export and import trades. Though the increase trade volumes is sometimes punctuated by decreases it does not call for any panicky situation for China is today one of the important trading spots in the world. Most of her trading partners cuts across the globe and that includes major economic countries like the USA, Canada, Japan and the European Union countries. With increased economic activities and the subsequent trade pacts with many countries that has brought about buoyant trade volumes, is China's transportation industry and particularly here the rail-sea intermodal transport ready to face the challenges ahead? Prior to the economic reforms in the late 70s, China's transportation industry was not well developed. Intermodal transport as is existing today was not to be found. A planned and co-ordinated intermodal transport as found today in China is relatively new as compared to the US, Canada, France and England. Though relatively new, intermodal transport in China is gaining grounds for all hands are on desk to make it properly posited. For intermodal transport (rail-sea) in China to be able to properly fullfill shippers' needs many obstacles have to be removed. These include amongst others good communication networks between the rail and seaports and shipping lines, efficiency, good management, infrastructures and handling facilities. This paper will only look into the rail-sea aspect of intermodal transport in China. To be assessed is the present state of the rail-sea intermodal transport system, problems and suggesting improvements where necessary to face the challenges ahead.