Multimodal transport in practice: make your container planning more predictableMultimodaal transport in de praktijk: maak je containerplanning voorspelbaarder

Many companies want to make their logistics more sustainable and reduce the number of trucks on the road. Yet multimodal transport can sometimes seem complicated. What does it change in your planning? When should you choose inland shipping? And how do you keep the process simple?

Multimodal transport only works if it fits into your day-to-day operations. For companies in the eastern Netherlands, Container Terminal Doesburg (CTD) provides a practical link between Rotterdam and the region. Barges transport containers between Rotterdam and Doesburg, while trucks handle first-mile and last-mile distribution between the terminal and the customer’s location.

In short

Multimodal transport combines different modes of transport, such as road transport and inland shipping. Via CTD, containers travel mainly by water between Rotterdam and Doesburg. Regional trucks handle pre- and onward transport. This creates more predictable planning, reduces road kilometres, provides greater control over dock planning and can reduce CO2 emissions by an average of up to 40% compared with transport entirely by road.

What is multimodal transport?

Multimodal transport uses multiple modes of transport consecutively within a single shipment. This could include trucks, inland barges, trains or ocean-going vessels. For container transport in the eastern Netherlands, a combination of road transport and inland shipping is often a logical choice.

In practice, the process is straightforward. An import container arrives in Rotterdam, travels by barge to Doesburg and completes the final part of its journey by road. For exports, the process works in reverse: the container is transported by road to Doesburg and then travels by inland barge to Rotterdam.

The truck therefore remains part of the logistics chain, primarily for first-mile and last-mile distribution. The longer part of the journey shifts to the water. This reduces long-distance road movements without requiring you to completely overhaul your logistics operation.

Why inland shipping is a good choice

Inland shipping is well suited to recurring container flows. Instead of sending numerous individual trucks over longer distances, large numbers of containers can be transported together by barge to and from the hinterland.

Doesburg is strategically located for companies in the eastern Netherlands. CTD connects the region directly with Rotterdam and serves areas including the Achterhoek and Liemers. For companies located within approximately 30 to 40 kilometres of Doesburg, this can significantly reduce road kilometres.

The benefits go beyond sustainability. An inland terminal also creates more flexibility and stability in your planning. Containers can be consolidated, transshipped and scheduled in Doesburg according to the required delivery time. This makes the supply chain less dependent on individual long-distance truck journeys.

When is multimodal transport right for your business?

Inland shipping is particularly interesting if you regularly send or receive containers. Large volumes are not the only consideration. The predictability of your goods flow is at least as important.

Switching to multimodal transport can be particularly beneficial if your company:

• Regularly imports or exports via Rotterdam;Regelmatig importeert of exporteert via Rotterdam;
• Has recurring container flows;
• Needs reliable deliveries and clear agreements;
• Wants to reduce long-distance truck journeys;
• Wants to reduce or gain insight into CO2 emissions;
• Needs to manage peak periods more effectively;
• Wants greater control over dock planning and delivery times;
• Wants fewer ad hoc issues and greater visibility in its planning.

A barge will not always be the fastest option for a single urgent shipment. For fixed or recurring container flows, however, multimodal transport can provide greater stability, reduce pressure on the road network and give you more control over the entire logistics chain.

What changes in your day-to-day planning?

Companies sometimes assume that inland shipping is slow or inflexible. Transport by water does require more forward planning, but that does not make the planning process itself less flexible.

Planning ahead actually creates greater stability. CTD operates sailings between Doesburg and Rotterdam almost every day. This allows container flows to be coordinated with arrival times, free days, inspections and customer delivery windows.

Instead of treating every container as an individual journey, planners look at the entire logistics chain. When will the container be released? How many free days are available? When does the container need to arrive at its destination? Are inspections, treatments or temperature checks required?

Using this information early allows you to anticipate peak periods and potential bottlenecks. Multimodal transport then becomes a way to organise the logistics chain more effectively rather than adding another layer of complexity.

What information do you need to make the switch?

Good preparation starts with a clear overview. To determine whether multimodal transport is suitable, CTD considers factors including:

• Loading and unloading locations;
• Number of containers;
• Import and export flows;
• Free days at the terminal, or demurrage;
• Free days after the container has been collected for transport into the hinterland, or detention;
• Required delivery times and dock planning;
• Peak periods or seasonal fluctuations;
• Required inspections, gas measurements, ventilation or reefer connections;
• CO2 reduction or reporting objectives.

This information provides a clear picture of where inland shipping works well and where trucks are still required for last-mile distribution. The result is a practical plan that fits your operation.

CTD works together with logistics advisors from the Province of Gelderland. They help companies explore the possibilities and advise them on available schemes. These include the Dutch government’s modal shift scheme, which is designed to encourage the movement of freight from road to water and rail.

What are the benefits of multimodal transport?

The advantages extend beyond sustainability. For many companies, predictability, planning and cost control are at least as important.

Greater flexibility within the region

By combining inland shipping with short truck journeys, you use trucks where they add the most value: first-mile and last-mile distribution. Longer distances are covered by water, while regional deliveries remain flexible.

More efficient dock planning through consolidation

Consolidating containers in Doesburg gives you greater control over delivery times. Containers no longer all have to travel individually by road from Rotterdam to the customer. They can be consolidated via CTD and better coordinated with available docks, staff and unloading capacity.

Better insight into planning and CO2 emissions

Good preparation provides insight into volumes, routes, timings and emissions. This helps companies that want to reduce their environmental impact or require CO2 data for internal reporting, customer requests or sustainability targets.

More stability for recurring container flows

For recurring container flows, a combined approach helps absorb peak periods, waiting times and dependency on long-distance truck journeys. Your operation becomes less reactive, giving you more room to plan deliveries efficiently.

Lower CO2 emissions and fewer road kilometres

Transport by inland shipping can result in an average CO2 reduction of up to 40% compared with transport entirely by road. The exact reduction depends on the route, load factor, waiting times and the distance covered during pre- and onward transport. Dutch CO2 emission factors support the broader comparison between transport modes: per tonne-kilometre, the emissions from container transport by inland shipping are lower than those from container transport by truck in many situations.

Reduced impact of the truck toll

Since 1 July 2026, the Netherlands has applied a truck toll on almost all motorways and a number of provincial and municipal roads. Reducing long-distance truck kilometres can therefore also have financial benefits.
With multimodal transport, trucks are used primarily for regional last-mile distribution. Depending on the chosen route, this can reduce the number of kilometres subject to the truck toll. In some situations, a large part of the last mile may even take place on roads that are not subject to the toll. This potential benefit should always be assessed for each individual route.

How CTD helps you make the switch

The difference lies in the execution. Once you have made your booking, CTD takes care of a large part of the practical planning.

CTD handles the collection and return of containers in Rotterdam, transport by barge, storage at the terminal in Doesburg and regional pre- or onward transport. Additional services can also be included, such as NVWA inspections, gas measurements, active ventilation, reefer connections and temperature monitoring.

For exports, the container is collected on time and prepared for departure to Rotterdam. Communication remains coordinated with the customer to ensure that planning, terminal operations and last-mile distribution work together effectively.

This turns multimodal transport into a clear logistics chain in which inland shipping, the terminal and road transport each fulfil their own role.

Is your logistics operation ready for multimodal transport?

Making the switch usually does not require major changes to your business operations. It starts with one practical question: which of your container flows are predictable enough to organise differently?

For companies in the eastern Netherlands, answering that question can quickly reveal opportunities. This is particularly true when containers move via Rotterdam, dock planning is under pressure, or reducing CO2 emissions and road kilometres is becoming increasingly important. By looking together at routes, volumes, free days, delivery times and last-mile distribution, it becomes clear whether multimodal transport is a good fit for your supply chain.

Find out whether your supply chain is ready for multimodal transport

Would you like to know whether multimodal transport is suitable for your container flows? CTD can assess your routes, volumes, demurrage, detention, dock planning, CO2 impact, last-mile distribution and modal shift opportunities with you.
This gives you a clear picture of whether your supply chain is ready to make the switch to multimodal transport.