Intermodal Logistics

Intermodal logistics is an important strategy to reduce emissions and heavy road traffic, contributing significantly to the green transport transition. This approach integrates different modes of transport, such as road, rail, sea and air, to create a more efficient and sustainable system.

In Italy, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility (MIMS) published a report in 2022 highlighting the importance of intermodal logistics to reduce emissions and traffic. The report points out that intermodality can reduce CO2 emissions from heavy traffic by approximately 0.7 per cent. This approach can be particularly useful for freight transport, which accounts for a significant share of total greenhouse gas and CO₂ emissions in Italy.

Intermodal logistics can be implemented through the use of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, such as loading and unloading terminals, which can be integrated with rail and road networks to create a more efficient and sustainable system. Furthermore, intermodality can help reduce heavy road traffic, which is responsible for a significant share of local pollutant emissions and traffic congestion.

To enable intermodal logistics, a strong commitment to the decarbonisation of transport, digitisation at all levels and improvement of working conditions is needed, as well as a better balancing of relations between the state and the private sector. Furthermore, it is important that sustainable mobility policies are integrated with the emission reduction targets of the European Green Deal and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP).

In summary, intermodal logistics is an important strategy to reduce emissions and heavy road traffic, contributing to the green transition of transport in Italy and Europe. A strong commitment to the decarbonisation of transport, digitisation and improvement of working conditions is needed, as well as a better balance of relations between the state and the private sector to implement this approach.