According to the EU definition, intermodality in transport of goods means transporting the cargo door-to-door. In this kind of freight transport, where two or more transport units are used.
The functionality, efficiency and integration between the transport modes are of a high level. The transport package used in intermodal transport is often the same during the whole transport. In intermodal transport, trunk haulage is by sea, inland waterways and railways. Finally, road transit fluently supports the door-to-door transport.
The aim of intemodality is to reduce cargo handling, and so to improve security, to reduce damages and losses, and to allow freight to be transported faster. Reduced costs over road trucking is the key benefit for intracontinental use. This may be offset by reduced timings for road transport over shorter distances.