What is multimodal transport?Multimodal transport is the transportation of goods by multiple modes of transport organized by one carrier (or operator) for the entire transport process from the point/port of origin through one or more points. transit to destination point/port. Depending on the responsibilities divided throughout the entire transport process, different types of transport documents will be used. That is the most common definition of VDTPT, but is it enough? Please refer to the article below:

As a bridge supporting trade activities, modern transport needs to meet the increasingly complex requirements of the domestic and international transport market. Transport today is not simply about transferring goods, but also connecting the transport process into an uninterrupted transport chain to make the goods transport process safer and faster. more, higher level of reliability and simpler.Multimodal transport (VTĐPT) is becoming a popular mode of transport alongside traditional modes of transport (road, rail, river, aviation and sea transport) because it can meet the above requirements of the freight transport market.

DEFINITION OF VDTDPT

There are many definitions given to explain the words “intermodal transportation” and “multimodal transportation” under one name called VDTPT.

The United Nations (UN) has provided a number of transport definitions and terms in the Multimodal Transport Handbook published in 1995 as follows:

– Mode of transport is the method of transport used to move goods, for example: iron, road, water, air;

– Means of transport: type of vehicle used for transport, for example: ship, car, plane;

– Type of vehicle: type of vehicle used in the transportation process, for example: aircraft with a body diameter of 5-6m wide and with two aisles like the Airbus 380);

– Single mode transport: transport using a single mode of transport, the carrier issues its own transport documents (B/L, AWB, consignment note);

– Transport combines the transport of goods in one type of loading and unloading unit combining different modes of transport;

Meanwhile, the document “Benchmarking Intermodal freight transport” published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2002, intermodalism is the use of at least 2 modes of transport in the door-to-door transport chain. -to-door. And DVTPT is also an important part of logistics management.

The year 2005 marked an important milestone for multimodal transport in the ASEAN region with the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport signed in Vientiane, Laos (ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport), which defined: “International multimodal transport is a form of transport of goods. by at least two different modes of transport based on a multimodal transport contract from a point of delivery to the carrier in one country to the point of delivery in another country. Delivery of goods through a single-modal transport contract will not be considered international transport.

The Conference of Transport Ministers of the European Union (ECMT), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) have issued in the guidance Directive 92/106/EEC of 1992 and later revised in 2001 defined as follows:

– VĐĐPT is the movement of goods in standard units or means of transport using multiple modes of transport without loading or unloading the goods when changing the mode of transport;

– Multimodal transport is the transportation of goods by at least two modes of transport).

In documents issued by the WTO since 2001, DPT is the transportation of goods by at least two modes of transport, organized by the MTO based on a multimodal transport contract from the loading point in one country to the destination. unloading point in another country.

The definition of the European Commission (EC – European commission) since 1997 states that DVT is the movement of goods by at least two modes of transport in a door-to-door transport chain.

Since 1995, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has considered that DVTPT is the use of more than one mode of transport and is characterized by Containerization; Use Piggyback service (combined rail and road transport); Seamless and connected movement; Each mode of transportation will be selected to provide users with the best service options.

In Vietnam, Decree 125/2003/ND-CP only mentions international VTDPT (referred to as multimodal transport) and considers that this is the transportation of goods by at least two other modes of transport. each other on the basis of an international transport contract from the place where the international transport dealer receives the goods in one country to a designated location for delivery in another country.

However, realizing the need to mention domestic VTPT, Decree 87/2009/ND-CP added a more specific definition:

– DVTPT is the transportation of goods by at least two different modes of transport on the basis of a VDTDT contract.

– International VTPT is a VTPT from the place where the IDP trader receives goods in Vietnam to a designated location for delivery in another country and vice versa.

– Domestic DVT is a DVT carried out within the territory of Vietnam.

The development process of the term VDTPT is shown in Figure 2 below:

Based on the above definitions, a general definition of VDTPT can be given:

– The transportation of standard loading and unloading units in a continuous door-to-door transport chain;

– Use several different modes of transport without opening the packaging of goods when changing means of transport;

– One transport organizer, one price;

– One transport document (simplified);

– Transporting goods from the point of origin in one country to the point of delivery in another country is called international transport;

– Ensuring continuous transportation of goods on the best routes, at an effective cost, meeting the needs of shippers, on the basis of simplifying documents, increasing the use of EDI (electronic data interchange);

At the same time, the difference between the two terms “intermodal transport” and “multimodal transport” can be explained through the following figure 1:

DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF DVTPT

VDTPT is increasingly developing and becoming more popular due to the following reasons:

– Standardization trend, such as shipping by containers and pallets; Take advantage of scale;

– Cost effective due to combining the advantages of each mode of transport:flexible transport, high frequency, just-in-time, simplification (with the participation and responsibility of a transport organizer). load); Environmental factors reduce the use of environmentally polluting modes of transport with more friendly modes of transport;

– The increase in international trade activities, solving the problem of overloading in some modes of transport (adjusting the balance of transport proportion between modes of transport);

– Globalizetrade and production to effectively serve the global supply chain.

BENEFITS OF VDTDPT

DVT development in the right direction and combining the participation of other modes of transport will make an important contribution to trade and production activities as well as the national economy. Specifically, the benefits brought by DVTPT can be analyzed as follows:
– Reduce logistics and just-in-time costs, thereby leading to reduced goods and production costs;
– Encourage international trade development and economic growth;
– Expand the transportation network and achieve high economic efficiency by using modes of transportation capable of transporting large volumes of goods;
– Increase competitiveness in price and quality;
– Helping manufacturing and trading businesses access markets (especially international markets) faster through connected transportation networks;
– Create cooperation between government and businesses to reduce unnecessary documents.