Multimodal transport (also known as combined transport ) is the transportation of goods under a single contract, but performed with at least two different modes of transport ; the carrier is liable (in a legal sense) for the entire carriage, even though it is performed by several different modes of transport (by rail , sea and road, for example). The carrier does not have to possess all the means of transport , and in practice usually does not; the carriage is often performed by sub-carriers (referred to in legal language as "actual carriers"). The carrier responsible for the entire carriage is referred to as a multimodal transport operator, or MTO.
25-546: Norristown Transportation Center (soon to be known as Norristown Transit Center ) is a two-level multimodal public transportation regional hub located in Norristown, Pennsylvania and operated by SEPTA . It opened in 1989 , replacing the older Norristown High Speed Line (Route 100) terminus one block away at Main and Swede Streets, and integrated the former Reading Company 's DeKalb Street Norristown railroad station (built 1933) into its structure. A plaque embedded in
50-554: A "timed transfer"; for the most part, buses leave at the same time, to maximize possible transfers between routes. These routes serve areas of Norristown and other areas in Montgomery County. SEPTA Frontier District routes that serve Norristown Transportation Center are: NTC is located at DeKalb and Lafayette Streets near the banks of the Schuylkill River and boasts a parking garage (built in 2008). Along with
75-456: A freight forwarder as the "Architect of transport". International freight forwarders typically handle cross-border logistics and have additional expertise in preparing and processing customs documentation and performing activities pertaining to the regulations of different countries. Freight forwarders typically have information with respect to commercial invoice , shipper's export declaration , bill of lading and other documents required by
100-407: A legal standpoint, multimodal transport creates several problems. Unimodal transports are currently governed by different, often-mandatory international conventions . These conventions stipulate different bases for liability , and different limitations of liability for the carrier. As of 2011, the solution to this problem has been the so-called network principle . According to the network principle,
125-474: A port. The first international freight forwarders were innkeepers in London, England who held and re-forwarded the personal effects of their hotel guests in the early 1800s. One of the earliest freight forwarders was Thomas Meadows and Co. Ltd., established in 1836. With the increase in trade between Europe and United States , Medows served as an intermediary to arrange for the transportation of freight from
150-500: A sea vessel (even though the transport includes a sea leg) are referred to as Non-Vessel Operating Carriers ( NVOC ) in common law countries (especially the United States). Multimodal transport developed in connection with the "container revolution" of the 1960s and 1970s; as of 2011, containerized transports are by far the most important multimodal consignments . However, it is important to remember that multimodal transport
175-436: A significant presence of small companies as well. The freight forwarding organizations have also undertaken diversification of revenue streams and has undergone digital transformation . Digital technologies such as barcodes , electronic data interchange , and enterprise resource planning have enhanced operational efficiency. As per a 2023 report, the global freight forwarding market was valued at $ 201.6 billion in 2021 and
200-527: A single transaction, the forwarder may be acting as a carrier (principal) or as an agent for his customer or both. Together with tracking, freight forwarding agents often have real time information on the freight. Some forwarders may specialize in niche areas such as rail-freight , and collection and deliveries around a port. International freight forwarders typically handle cross-border logistics and have additional expertise in preparing and processing customs documentation and performing activities pertaining to
225-416: A variety of shipping modes, including ships , airplanes , trucks , and railroads , including multiple modes for a single shipment. For example, the freight forwarder may arrange to have cargo moved from a plant to an airport by truck, flown to the destination city and then moved from the airport to a customer's building by another truck. A freight forwarder does not move the goods but acts as an agent in
250-752: A weekday average of 856 boardings and 781 alightings. Norristown Transportation Center is the final stop on the Norristown High Speed Line , which runs from 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby to Norristown . In addition to rail service, Norristown Transportation Center serves as the center of the Frontier District of SEPTA 's Suburban Division bus routes , particularly the routes operating in Montgomery County . Bus routes serving NTC operate with
275-435: Is not equivalent to container transport; multimodal transport is feasible without any form of container. The MTO works on behalf of the supplier; it assures the supplier (and the buyer) that their goods will be effectively managed and supplied. Multimodal transport research is being conducted across a wide range of government, commercial and academic centers. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) within
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#1732779853624300-489: The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) chairs an inter-agency Research, Development and Technology (RD&T) Planning Team. The University Transportation Center (UTC) program, which consists of more than 100 universities nationwide conducts multi-modal research and education programs. The European Commission has invested heavily in multimodal research under the H2020 programme – examples are CORE and SYNCHRO-NET. From
325-487: The logistics network and will carry out freight consolidation, rate negotiations, shipment tracking, customs and other documentation, among other tasks. International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) describes a freight forwarder as the "Architect of transport". The original function of the forwarder was to arrange for carriage by contracting with various carriers. Forwarder responsibilities included advice on documentation and customs requirements in
350-506: The carrier or country of export , import , and/or transshipment . Modern freight forwarders offer an end-to-end process i.e. shipping the goods from the place of origin to the final destination and may offer additional services such as warehouse planning, cargo insurance and customs brokerage. Together with tracking, freight forwarding agents often have real time information on the freight. Some forwarders may specialize in niche areas such as rail-freight , and collection and deliveries around
375-404: The country of destination. His correspondent agent overseas looked after his customers' goods and kept him informed about matters that would affect the movement of goods. Modern freight forwarders offer an end-to-end process i.e. shipping the goods from the place of origin to the final destination and may offer additional services such as warehouse planning, cargo insurance and customs brokerage. In
400-399: The different conventions coexist unchanged; the carrier's liability is defined according to where the breach of contract has occurred (where the goods have been damaged during transport, for example). However, problems arise if the breach of contract is systemic (not localized). NVOC A freight forwarder or forwarding agent is a person or a company who co-ordinates and organizes
425-589: The facilitation of global trade, orchestrating the movement of goods across international borders. These organizations cater to diverse customers including business-to-business (B2B ), business-to-consumer ( B2C ), and consumer-to-consumer (C2C) requirements. These organizations have evolved significantly, transforming from managing a networks of contracted agents to corporations with a direct presence across countries. These organizations often have presence in multiple countries with larger entities having revenues running into billions of dollars. However, studies have noted
450-430: The manufacturers to customers through rail transport and steamships . The services were later expanded to cover consultative solutions and handling customs requirements. A freight forwarder is an entity who co-ordinates and organizes the movement of shipments on behalf of a shipper (party that arranges an item for shipment) by liaising with carriers . A carrier is an entity that actually transports goods and may use
475-553: The movement of shipments on behalf of a shipper (party that arranges an item for shipment) by liaising with carriers (party that transports goods). The carriers may use a variety of shipping modes, including ships , airplanes , trucks , and railroads , and often use multiple modes for a single shipment. A freight forwarder does not move the goods but acts as an agent in the logistics network and will carry out freight consolidation, rate negotiations, shipment tracking, customs and other documentation, among other tasks. FIATA describes
500-538: The opening of the new garage, intercity bus service by Bieber Transportation Group , Greyhound , and Martz Trailways was introduced to Norristown. Bieber Transportation Group ended service to Norristown on April 1, 2018 while Martz Trailways service ended May 31, 2018. Norristown Transportation Center was formerly an important transfer point between electric and Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDCs) service to points north, such as Valley Forge , Phoenixville Pottstown, Reading and Pottsville . Pottsville line service
525-538: The regulations of different countries. Freight forwarders typically have information with respect to commercial invoice , shipper's export declaration , bill of lading and other documents required by the carrier or country of export , import , and/or transshipment . Freight forwarders often charge a fee for the activity and might include transportation costs from factory and to delivery, freight charges, customs and other fees and documentation charges. Modern freight forwarding organizations serve as pivotal entities in
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#1732779853624550-411: The sender, accepting a greater liability as carriers. Large sea carriers have also evolved into MTOs; they provide customers with so-called door-to-door service. The sea carrier offers transport from the sender's premises (usually located inland) to the receiver's premises (also usually situated inland), rather than offering traditional tackle-to-tackle or pier-to-pier service. MTOs not in the possession of
575-608: The sidewalk between the bus lane and Lafayette Street commemorates the location of one of the columns of the dismantled segment of the Philadelphia and Western Railroad (P&W) trestle. The Norristown Transportation Center is a stop on the Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail Line , which offers service to Center City Philadelphia via Conshohocken and Manayunk . In 2017, the regional rail service at Norristown Transportation Center had
600-513: The treaty ) defines multimodal transport as follows: "'International multimodal transport' means the carriage of goods by at least two different modes of transport on the basis of a multimodal transport contract from a place in one country at which the goods are taken in charge by the multimodal transport operator to a place designated for delivery situated in a different country". In practice, freight forwarders have become important MTOs; they have moved away from their traditional role as agents for
625-622: Was eliminated in 1981 due to budget cuts. Proposed restoration of service beyond Norristown, dubbed the Schuylkill Valley Metro , was canceled in 2006 after SEPTA failed to acquire necessary funding. Multimodal transport Article 1.1. of the United Nations Convention on International Multimodal Transport of Goods (Geneva, 24 May 1980) (which will only enter into force 12 months after 30 countries ratify; as of May 2019, only 6 countries have ratified
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