Intermodal terminal

An intermodal terminal is a facility that transfers containerized or unitized cargo between transport modes, typically rail and road or barge and road, without unpacking the load unit. Gantry cranes or reach stackers lift containers and swap bodies between trains, trucks, and barges across a paved interchange, and the terminal manages gate processing, stacking, and train build-up. Intermodal moves the same ISO container across several modes under one transport contract, distinct from multimodal, which can combine non-containerized legs. Rail-served intermodal terminals anchor inland container depots and dry ports and reduce road haulage on long corridors.