Rail Transport
Rail transportation has received a lot of attention due to its high capacity, high safety, and ability to carry heavy and bulky loads, especially over long distances. On the other hand, rail transportation costs are affected by various factors such as the type and weight of goods, distance, type of service, insurance conditions, etc. To transport goods by rail, it is necessary to prepare various documents and observe the relevant laws. In this text, we have examined the costs, advantages and disadvantages of rail transportation, as well as the documents required to send goods by this method.
Advantages of Rail Transportation
Rail transportation is one of the most common and effective methods of transporting goods and passengers. With its special advantages, this system has become one of the main pillars of transportation in developed countries. Below, we will examine its main advantages.
High capacity:
Rail networks and routes have a very high cargo carrying capacity and can carry a larger number of loads per unit of time compared to road transportation. This feature is especially important in the transportation of commercial and industrial goods that require fast and efficient transportation. In addition, by adding more wagons, the capacity of the wagons can be easily increased.
Ability to carry heavy and bulky loads:
Rail transportation is very suitable for transporting heavy and bulky loads due to its large wagons and high carrying capacity. Goods such as coal, heavy metals, industrial machinery and similar goods can easily be transported via the rail system.
Connectivity to other transportation networks:
Rail transportation can be easily combined with other modes of transportation, such as road and air. For example, cargo transported by train from one city to another can be transferred to trucks at different stations. This capability allows the rail transportation system to move goods conveniently and quickly, alongside other methods.
Safety:
Railways and rail networks are highly safe and risks such as accidents, rail breakdowns, etc. are very unlikely.
High speed over long distances:
Rail and train transport, especially compared to road transport, is very fast and is a good choice for long distances or goods that require urgent delivery.
Disadvantages of Rail Transportation
Like any other transportation system, rail transportation has its disadvantages and limitations, some of which are mentioned below:
High cost of construction and maintenance
Creating rail infrastructure requires a large initial investment. Building railway lines, stations, and maintaining them requires significant budgets and resources. These costs can become a heavy financial burden for governments or companies.
-In rail transportation, it is not possible to provide door-to-door services. For this reason, at railway terminals, cargo must be delivered to the final destination by truck and trailer.
-Long transportation time: Compared to some transportation methods such as air transportation, rail transportation has a high transportation time and is longer.
Documents required for transporting goods by rail
To transport and move goods by rail, it is necessary to prepare all relevant documents and complete the required forms. Depending on the transport company you work with, some additional steps and documents may be added to the contract. These points are very important in preparing the contract and sending the goods.
Rail transport contract
This contract includes information such as the name and specifications of the goods, the address of the sender and recipient, the type of transport, the delivery date, and the amount of costs. The terms and conditions related to the transport of goods are also carefully mentioned in this contract.
Bill of lading
After the contract is drawn up, a bill of lading is issued, which acts as a document of ownership of the goods. This document contains complete information about the goods and the conditions of transport and it is necessary to keep it carefully.
Certificate of origin and commercial invoice
For the transfer of goods between countries, a certificate of origin is required to confirm the place of production or origin of the goods and a commercial invoice to determine the value of the goods and the amount paid.
Customs Documents
To export or import goods via rail, customs documents and customs clearance procedures must be completed and submitted. These documents include customs declarations, customs tariff sheets, and tax payments.
Certificate of Health
For goods such as food, pharmaceuticals or sensitive goods, you will need to obtain certificates of health approval or health standards.
Finally, in order for the rail transportation process to be carried out correctly and without problems, it is necessary to prepare all the documents carefully. Failure to comply with any of these steps can cause delays in shipping or even loss of the goods.
How is the cost of rail transportation calculated?
The cost of rail transportation is determined based on various factors that all of these factors need to be calculated and taken into account. We will examine these factors in more detail below:
Type and weight of goods
Special goods such as chemicals, perishable foods, etc., will have a higher rail transportation cost than general or ordinary goods due to the special conditions they require for transportation. Also, the greater the weight and volume of the goods, the more you will need to pay for their rail transportation.
Distance and route
The length of the route and the distance that the train must travel are one of the main factors in determining the cost, and the longer the distance, the more money will be needed for fuel, maintenance, and use of the train. Also, special or mountainous routes may have higher costs.
Type of service
Rail transportation includes two categories of passenger and freight services, each of which has a different transportation cost. Additionally, additional services such as packaging, insurance, or special conditions also increase the cost of rail transportation.
Insurance and Customs
When shipping goods internationally, you need to consider the cost of paying customs duties and taxes. Insuring your goods is also optional in most cases, but it can ensure the safety and soundness of your cargo and compensate for possible damages.
Duration of transportation
Delivery time also affects the cost of rail transportation. For cargo that needs to be delivered faster, additional charges may apply due to the use of fast trains or special services.
Conclusion
Rail transportation has significant advantages as an efficient and cost-effective method of moving goods, especially over long distances and for heavy goods. With its high carrying capacity, connectivity to other transportation networks, and good safety, this system can become a good choice for international trade and the transportation of industrial goods. However, its disadvantages include high costs of building and maintaining infrastructure and long transportation times.
You can contact our consultants and experts at Saina Express to transport your goods by rail and make the necessary arrangements.