The best way for better reach

By road, rail, air or water - goods can arrive at their destination in many ways. The choice of the right means of transport depends on many factors - including flexibility, costs and transport volume. In order to choose the optimal means, an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the individual means of transport is essential. A distinction is drawn among road transport, rail transport and pipeline transport, inland waterway and ocean shipping and air transport.

Goods transports in comparison (Germany)

Strengths and weaknesses of road transport

Road transport is suited for door-to-door transport and widespread distribution of goods in the 24-hour cycle [1]

Strengths	Weaknesses
High flexibility in terms of transport jobs and changed plans	Limited transport volume
Fewer idles and waiting periods	Traffic jams
Relatively low transport times for short and medium distances	Legal restrictions
	Weather effects
	Restrictions on transport of hazardous goods
	Ecological aspects

Strengths and weaknesses of rail transport

Rail transport is suited for bulk shipping (several wagonloads) of many types of goods (coal, raw materials) over distances of 300 km and more [1].

Strengths	Weaknesses
Higher speeds and economical solution for longer distances	High fixed costs
Environmentally friendly	Schedule and rail-network Inflexibility
No road traffic	Inadeqate for short-distant transports or with frequent cargo changes
No driving bans (e.g., Sundays, holidays)	Monopolistic position of the main operator

Strengths and weaknesses of pipeline transport

Pipeline transport is used solely for a limited range of products, including natural gas, crude oil, petroleum products, water, chemicals and liquid products. Natural gas and crude oil are the main products transported by pipeline [1].

Strengths	Weaknesses
Economic	Small pipeline network
Safe	High fixed costs
Environmentally friendly

Strengths and weaknesses of inland waterway transport

Inland waterway transport is suited for large cargo shipments covering longer distances [1].

Strengths	Weaknesses
Economic	Limited waterway network
Environmentally friendly	High handling and transshipment costs
Availability of specialized ships	Dependency on weather (water level)

Strengths and weaknesses of ocean shipping

Ocean shipping is suited for the intercontinental shipment of bulk cargo, bulky goods and dangerous materials such as oil and gas over large distances [1].

Strengths	Weaknesses
Economic	High capital costs
Environmentally friendly	Slow
Large transport volume	Tied to the water network
Independent of weather	Dependency of large container ships on specially equipped ports

Strengths and weaknesses of air transport

Air transport is suited for valuable goods and high-speed shipments [1].

Strengths	Weaknesses
High speeds, frequency and security	High transport costs for bulk goods
Little capital tie-up	Relatively low transport capacity
Low risk of theft and damage	Need for development of a network
Cost-efficient transport of light parts	Ground time is approx. 73 percent of total transport time
	Ecological aspects