Pre-carriage and on-carriage transport as a holistic solution

Shipment by sea usually involves additional legs of the journey – for example, from the production site to the port and from the port to the recipient. Pre-carriage and on-carriage transport via various modes of transportation creates integrated supply chains.

Forklift operating at a busy container terminal near rail tracks

Cost-effective and sustainable transport option

Rhenus operates numerous trimodal logistics centers at strategic locations along Europe’s coasts and waterways. We combine various means of transport such as trucks, trains, barges and seagoing vessels to ensure reliable transport chains for you. Our services encompass pre-carriage and on-carriage solutions, seamlessly connecting initial and final transport legs with primary shipping routes. When developing customized logistics concepts, we place particular emphasis on sustainable and cost-efficient implementation.

Blue container with Rhenus logo

Your advantages

Because ports are often not located directly at the production site or the destination of the goods, pre-carriage and on-carriage transport enables the transport of goods to and from locations which are not directly connected to a port.

Depending on the urgency or type of freight, various means of transport (truck, train, barge) can be used for pre- and on-carriage. This flexibility helps to optimize transport routes and costs.

Pre- and on-carriage transport helps to make optimal use of port infrastructure by coordinating the movement of goods before and after arrival at the port and preventing congestion or bottlenecks.

Your partner for holistic transportation solutions

  • At our port locations, we carry out trimodal transshipment using flexible, modern technology. We also offer high-quality storage of your goods until onward transportation.
  • Our locations have various certificates, such as ISO 9001, ISO 50001, GMP+, AEO or BImSchG permits for the handling, storage and treatment of waste. We also provide special equipment which is tailored to the requirements and nature of your goods. Continuous investment in infrastructure and superstructures guarantees continuous quality improvement.
  • At our terminals, a wide range of equipment ensures fast and precise handling of your goods. Our ports are firmly integrated into numerous national and international transport chains. From there, we reliably deliver your shipment to the desired destination – be it your warehouse, your production facility or directly to your customer’s receiving address.
Friendly call center agent who is talking to a customer

Holistic logistics approaches

We get your shipments to their destination – our range of port logistics and sea freight services enables us to offer you customized solutions.

Frequently asked questions

In shipping, pre-carriage refers to the initial part of the transport process, in which goods are moved from the origin point (such as the manufacturer’s location, a supplier’s warehouse or another initial storage point) to the main port or terminal where the primary shipping leg begins.

The difference between the two lies in their stages within transport. Pre-carriage is the initial leg, moving goods from the origin to the main shipping port, while on-carriage is the final leg, transporting goods from the arrival port to their destination. Pre-carriage connects inland origins to main shipping routes, whereas on-carriage completes the journey to the end point.

Depending on where your shipment is and where it is going, we use a variety of means of transport, from road and sea transport to rail transport.