The two major railways in Canada include Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) and Canadian National Railway (CN Rail). Shortline railways could be considered as feeder railways to CP and CN. Typical products carried by rail include wheat and other grains, coal, potash, sulphur, copper, nickel and iron ore, sand and stone, automobiles and trucks, forest products, liquefied petroleum gas, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphate rock, as well as ocean/multimodal containers.

Often, we use intermodal and multimodal concept interchangeably. However, we will differentiate between the two.

Intermodal shipment is generally defined as: "The movement of goods that involves two types of transportation between the origin and destination, i.e. rail and ship."Also known as multimodal.

We should be mindful that the concepts identify two distinct activities.

Intermodal - is the movement of cargo from origin to destination by several modes of transport where each of these modes have a different transport provider or entity responsible, each with its own independent contract. Multiple carriers during a single journey.

Multimodal - is the movement of cargo from origin to destination by several modes of transport where each of these modes have a different transport provider or entity responsible, but under a single contract. Single carrier during a single journey.

Simply put, the key functions of both terminologies are the same, but the differentiation lies in the contract and responsibility of the movement. (excellent visual available on Shipping and Freight website - see references below)

References:

Shipping & Freight http://www.shippingandfreightresource.com/difference-between-intermodal-and-multimodal-transport/#

Mobisofthttps://mobisoftinfotech.com/resources/blog/intermodal-vs-multimodal/

Macandrews Containershipshttps://www.macandrews.com/intermodal-vs-multimodal-difference/

PLS Logistics Services https://www.plslogistics.com/blog/intermodal-vs-multimodal/

Questions:

1.Select one of the identified goods commonly transported by railway and identify one additional mode of transportation. Clearly map the shipping route with origin and destination in Canada. Is this is multimodal or intermodal shipment? Support your answer.

2.Identify the carrier(s) and justify your selection.