In global trade, multimodal transportation is how most companies move their goods efficiently. Freight ocean IPI or Inland Point Intermodal, is essential for goods to reach their final destination on land after being transported across seas.
Freight ocean IPI connects coastal ports with specific inland points across the United States. It is a great and efficient way to transport goods efficiently by combining ocean freight transportation with both rail and truck transportation.
Using it allows companies to optimize delivery speeds, reduce environmental footprint, and minimize costs. Let’s learn more about how it works and all the benefits it can bring to your international business:
What is Interior Point Intermodal (IPI) in Ocean Freight?
Inland Point Intermodal (IPI) in ocean freight is the logistics operation that oversees that goods transported through ocean freight are transported to their next stop through rail or road transportation.
Advantages of intermodal transportation like IPI is how they streamline overall transportation operations, especially when goods have a final destination that is far from the coast.
Empowering your logistics operations with Inland Point Intermodal (IPI) ocean freight and combining it with road and rail, will create an efficient shipping network for your business, perfect for efficient long-haul transportation.
When you partner with a 3PL experienced in freight services like EP Logistics, you get the benefits of being able to access ocean freight, road transportation, and customs brokerage services that will make moving your goods across borders and from sea to land, an easy process.
3 Key Benefits of Using IPI for Freight Shipping
1. Cost Efficiency
Freight Ocean IPI takes advantage of the flexibility road freight offers when it comes to Long-distance transportation and direct delivery. Road freight allows for:
- Custom route planning
- Helps maximize transportation resources
- Reduce costs
- Access to specific inland points unreachable through other Modes of transportation
- Offers businesses the capacity to adapt
- To handle a different variety of shipment sizes and volumes
- Efficiently transport your goods
2. Faster Transit Times
Because IPI combines port-to-port shipping with road freight, many times eliminating the need for rail coordination, which optimizes overall transit times.
With road freight, you have more control over transport schedule and delivery time frames, which results in happy, informed customers.
3. Environmental Impact
It is widely known that rail is the transport method with the lowest environmental footprint, however, road freight also plays an important part in environmental sustainability in logistics.
Eco-friendly trucking keeps sustainability in mind through careful and smart route planning that focuses on fuel efficiency and routes with lower emissions.
With this focus, implementing IPI in the supply chain also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking care of the planet.
As an environmentally conscious partner, at EP Logistics, we are committed to offering efficient, eco-friendly logistics services.
Our freight services are carefully planned and optimized for fuel efficiency and lower environmental impact, while also ensuring the smooth and fast delivery of your goods until they reach their final destination.
Step-by-Step IPI Process in Ocean Freight
Arrival at Port and Customs Clearance
The first step in freight ocean IPI starts after a shipment arrives at the port, is passes all customs clearance processes.
This includes having all required documentation, ensuring all fees are correctly assessed, and that all proper duties are covered. Bonded shipments will wait at bonded warehouses until cleared.
Once a shipment is cleared, it will then move into the transport stage.
Our Customs Brokerage services, make the process easy for you, ensuring your shipments stay compliant at all times and handling documentation, fees, and duties accurately for you.
Transfer to Rail for Long-Haul Transportation
After customs clearance, containers are loaded for inland transportation through rail or road freight.
Road freight plays an important role in global import/export logistics as a reliable transport method that offers container flexibility to suit different cargo volumes, maximizing transport and shipping costs.
Final Mile by Truck
The final step is to deliver the goods to their final destination.
This is where final mile delivery comes into play. Final Mile transport is especially important when rail freight is used, but the only way to move the goods to their final consignee after reaching a close terminal is by road.
EP Logistics’ freight ocean IPI provides trans-loading services for a seamless transfer from rail to truck.
IPI vs. Traditional Trucking: Which is Better for Your Business?
Comparison of Costs and Transit Time
When comparing IPI vs. traditional trucking, IPI has a clear advantage. Its flexibility makes it consistent and cost-effective.
By using rail for long-hauls, and road freight for specific inland points, IPI achieves an affordable, adaptable, and eco-friendly way to move both high-volume shipments and long-distance shipments.
Capacity and Flexibility
IPI offers take advantage of multimodal shipping options, which allow your business to have a greater capacity and scalability.
It is a flexible and scalable solution that helps you better respond to demand fluctuations and transport challenges by accessing different routes and transportation options.
As a trusted partner, EP logistics helps you with all your shipping needs, assessing your unique business requirements and helping you select the best option whether IPI, rail, or trucking solutions.
What is Reverse IPI, and When is it Useful?
Reverse IPI (RIPI) is when the freight that arrives at the East Coast is sent back westward to inland destinations. This many times helps them reduce transit times and costs.
This is a popular option when companies are trying to avoid traffic congestion and bottlenecks at West Coast ports by using the routes on the East Coast instead.
In addition to IPI, we also offer Reverse logistics and RIPI at EP Logistics, providing your business with more options and flexibility.
Maximizing Efficiency with IPI: A Smart Choice for Sustainable and Cost-Effective Inland Freight
Freight ocean IPI is a valuable solution that helps you enhance your cargo delivery efficiency and overall supply chain optimization, reduce costs, and ensure the smooth and fast delivery of your goods.
By integrating ocean freight transportation with rail and road freight, IPI makes sure your products reach inland points securely, and fast and keeps your budget in mind without affecting efficiency.
Our team at EP Logistics is prepared to boost your freight ocean IPI with all the services you need in one place.
From road freight and ocean freight with freight cost optimization and containerized shipping benefits, to customs brokerage to help you with customs regulations for ocean freight.
Reach out to EP Logistics today. Our proven experience in global import/export logistics, freight forwarding, and IPI in supply chain management will surprise you.
