Multimodal transport involves using at least two different modes of transportation, such as rail, sea, and road, to transport goods under a single contract. The carrier is legally responsible for the entire journey even if multiple sub-carriers perform each leg. Freight forwarders often act as multimodal transport operators, taking on greater liability as carriers rather than just agents.

1. Multi modal transport

2.  Multimodal transport (also known as
combined transport) is the
transportation of goods under a single
contract, but performed with at least
two different means of transport; the
carrier is liable (in a legal sense) for
the entire carriage, even though it is
performed by several different modes
of transport (by rail, sea and road, for
example)

3.  The carrier does not have to possess
all the means of transport, and in
practice usually does not; the carriage
is often performed by sub-carriers
(referred to in legal language as
"actual carriers"). The carrier
responsible for the entire carriage is
referred to as a multimodal transport
operator, or MTO.

4.  In practice, freight forwarders have
become important MTOs; they have
moved away from their traditional role
as agents for the sender, accepting a
greater liability as carriers.