# rail transshipment

*Last updated: 2026-06-16*

> Forwarders and rail operators turn to rail transshipment whenever cargo units—containers, swap bodies, or general cargo—are transferred at marshalling yards or intermodal terminals from one train to another or onto a different mode such as road or sea.

Forwarders and rail operators turn to rail transshipment whenever cargo units—containers, swap bodies, or general cargo—are transferred at marshalling yards or intermodal terminals from one train to another or onto a different mode such as road or sea. The operation is unavoidable at route changes and gauge changes, most notably the transition from standard European gauge to Russian broad gauge. Rail transshipment significantly affects total transit time and is a critical juncture for customs declarations and terminal permits. It differs from a simple wagon handover in full-wagonload traffic, where no physical transfer of the goods takes place.

**Source:** [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transshipment](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transshipment)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | rail transshipment |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 97 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-16 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transshipment |

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