For construction material distributors, managing freight isn’t as simple as putting goods on a truck and sending them to a job site. As service regions expand and materials flow across broader supply chains, many companies are turning to multi-modal freight strategies—leveraging a mix of trucks, rail, ocean, and air to move products efficiently.
But while multi-modal logistics opens doors to flexibility and cost savings, it also brings a host of new challenges: more handoffs, more complexity, and more risk of delay. To stay in control, distributors need to monitor specific data points throughout the journey.
In this post, we’ll walk through what to track when managing challenges in multi-modal freight—so you can stay on top of your deliveries, reduce delays, and improve service across every mode of transport.
What Is Multi-Modal Freight?
Multi-modal freight involves using two or more different transportation modes under a single contract or system to move materials from origin to destination. In the construction materials sector, this could mean:
Moving bulk steel by rail, then trucking it to the site
Using ocean freight for imported tile, then switching to regional carriers for final delivery
Consolidating LTL shipments with air freight to meet urgent project timelines
Multi-modal is ideal for balancing cost, speed, and regional access—but requires tight tracking at every leg of the journey.
Key Challenges in Multi-Modal Freight
Handoff delays between carriers or modes
Limited visibility across separate transport systems
Damaged or lost goods during transitions
Customs clearance or compliance delays (especially with imports)
Misaligned timelines between modes, causing bottlenecks
To manage these risks, distributors must track the right metrics and milestones.
What to Track in Multi-Modal Freight Management
- Shipment Milestones by Mode
What to track:
Departure and arrival times for each leg
Mode transition points (e.g., port to rail, rail to truck)
Hand-off confirmation and carrier check-ins
Why it matters:
Tracking key checkpoints helps identify where delays or losses occur—and gives you better control over ETAs.
- Estimated vs. Actual Transit Times
What to track:
Quoted vs. actual time for each mode (truck, rail, ocean, air)
Mode-specific delay trends (e.g., port congestion, rail strikes, road closures)
Why it matters:
Monitoring transit accuracy by mode helps with planning and improves your ability to set realistic delivery expectations for contractors.
- Real-Time Location Visibility
What to track:
GPS or telematics for truck portions
Container or BOL tracking numbers for rail and ocean legs
Integration with carrier platforms for updates
Why it matters:
Multi-modal visibility reduces the “black hole” between modes, allowing for proactive communication with customers.
- Dwell Time at Transfer Points
What to track:
Time spent at ports, rail terminals, warehouses, and cross-docks
Causes of delay (customs, unloading wait time, scheduling issues)
Why it matters:
Long dwell times are often the silent killer of multi-modal delivery timelines. Tracking them helps pinpoint inefficiencies.
- Condition Reports and Damage Incidents
What to track:
Material condition at each hand-off
Damage reports by carrier or facility
Claims filed and resolution timelines
Why it matters:
Multi-modal handoffs increase the risk of material damage. Tracking condition helps hold the right partner accountable and reduce future risk.
- Cost Breakdown by Mode and Leg
What to track:
Freight cost per mode (e.g., truck vs. rail vs. ocean)
Handling fees, storage charges, demurrage/detention costs
Actual vs. estimated total landed cost
Why it matters:
Tracking cost per leg and per shipment lets you spot inefficiencies, optimize routes, and improve margin.
- Customs and Compliance Status (if applicable)
What to track:
Documentation submission dates
Clearance status and customs holds
Fees or delays due to non-compliance
Why it matters:
International or cross-border shipments are a major source of uncertainty. Tracking customs performance reduces surprise delays and penalties.
- Delivery Performance to Final Destination
What to track:
On-time delivery to job sites or yards
Number of partial vs. complete deliveries
Contractor feedback on timing and material condition
Why it matters:
The end of the journey matters most. Even if upstream legs go well, last-mile failures impact project timelines and customer relationships.
Final Thoughts
Multi-modal freight gives construction material distributors the flexibility and scale to serve complex regional and international markets—but only if it’s managed with precision.
By tracking the right data across every leg of the shipment, distributors can reduce hand-off issues, optimize transport modes, and proactively manage customer expectations.
In construction supply environment, your competitive edge won’t just come from how fast you move products—but from how clearly you can see and control every step of the journey.
