Global trade wouldn’t be what it is today if intermodal transportation wasn’t on the scene. The combination of rail, road, and ocean transport means goods can be moved farther and faster than ever before. With the world economy growing, the demand for more efficient and transparent logistics solutions grows too.

Greater efficiency and transparency is increasingly made possible by technology. One such technology is rail container tracking systems, which are fast changing how shippers, BCOs, and freight forwarders approach supply chain management.

Gone are the days when the movement of containers felt like peering into a black box — unsure of where a shipment might be or when it would arrive.

Rail container tracking systems offer real-time insights and data, giving stakeholders a new level of visibility across the supply chain that helps them to monitor, adjust, and optimize operations more effectively. Here are three major ways rail container tracking is reshaping intermodal transportation:

Number 1: Enhancing Operational Efficiency

Rail container tracking in real time has massively improved operational efficiency across intermodal transportation. Gone are the delays caused by missed connections or poor scheduling, because advanced tracking systems allow logistics providers to pinpoint exactly where a container is at any given moment.

This granular-level visibility over rail freight has led to improved scheduling, reduced transit times, and a smoother handoff between transport modes.

Plus, real-time tracking has contributed to the surge in intermodal volume. According to the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), intermodal freight volumes grew by 8.8% in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the industry’s increasing reliance on more efficient, integrated logistics solutions.

And it’s tracking technology that’s helping to drive this demand. Why? Because logistics operators increasingly trust intermodal transport’s ability to deliver shipments on time and within budget.

For example, when operators can see that a container is facing a delay, they can reroute or adjust schedules to avoid congestion at terminals or ports. This agility reduces bottlenecks and keeps goods moving.

Number 2: Boosting Cost-Effectiveness

Shipping costs are arguably the archnemesis of logistics providers. But with greater visibility comes greater opportunities to cut costs. For shippers and freight forwarders in particular, one of the biggest costs in intermodal operations is fuel consumption.

However, rail container tracking provides access to real-time data, which means logistics companies can optimize routes, avoid congested areas, and minimize idle times, all of which directly impact fuel efficiency.

Not only does this help to cut fuel costs but it reduces the environmental footprint of transportation, which is something else logistics providers are increasingly having to contend with.

Data gathered from companies using advanced rail tracking systems has shown significant cost reductions. Plus, the implementation of predictive analytics further amplifies these savings.

Using historical data and real-time inputs, logistics companies can predict delays and inefficiencies, which helps optimize schedules, prevent expensive rerouting, and reduce container idle times.

Number 3: Increasing Supply Chain Transparency

Arguably the biggest change rail container tracking has brought to the logistics industry is greater visibility across entire supply chains. The ability to monitor container movements from the moment they depart the loading dock to their final destination provides end-to-end visibility, which is invaluable for shippers and BCOs.

Supply chain transparency helps eliminate one of the most frustrating challenges in logistics: lost or misrouted containers, which tracking technologies are actively working to reduce.

With AI and advanced analytics increasingly combined with tracking systems, shippers can not only track containers in real time but can receive highly accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs) and notifications about potential delays.

These technologies don’t just serve as passive monitoring systems. They actively provide insights, allowing companies to proactively resolve issues before they become costly problems.

For example, AI-driven systems can flag potential delays and suggest alternative routes or modes of transport. This level of predictive insight allows companies to plan more effectively, avoiding the kind of last-minute disruptions that can throw off supply chain operations.

Release the Power of Rail Container Tracking With Vizion

The ability to track shipments in real time, optimize fuel consumption, and provide complete visibility over the entire supply chain are just a few of the advantages shippers, BCOs, and freight forwarders are now reaping.

Reap the benefits of rail container tracking for your intermodal operations with Vizion. Vizion gives you the ability to track containers across ocean and rail with a single tracking number, eliminating integration challenges and enhancing end-to-end visibility.

Book a demo with Vizion today and release the power of rail container tracking across your operation.

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