Question 1

Most European freight is transported by ISO boxes on railroad cars.

Accepted Answer

Most European freight is transported using a variety of methods including road transport, rail, and inland waterways, but the predominant mode is road transport, not specifically ISO boxes on railroad cars.

Question 2

Switzerland prohibits trucking through the Alps,forcing trucks to "piggy-back" on trains.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Switzerland has strict measures to reduce road traffic through the Alps, and one of them is the requirement for trucks to use a technique called "rolling highway" or piggy-backing on trains to cross the mountains instead of driving through them. This policy aims to promote sustainable transportation and reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in the region.

Question 3

North American barges tend to be larger than European barges.

Accepted Answer

North American barges are typically designed to navigate larger bodies of water, such as the Mississippi River, Great Lakes, and coastal waterways, which generally require larger vessels. European barges, on the other hand, often navigate smaller rivers and canals with more constrained dimensions, leading to smaller barge sizes.

Question 4

Twenty-foot containers are 6.1 meters.

Accepted Answer

True, twenty-foot containers are 6.1 meters in length.

Question 5

Like the United States,Australia has a lot of railroad capability to carry truck trailers across the country.

Accepted Answer

Australia primarily relies on road transport for the movement of freight across the country, with a less extensive rail network for freight compared to the United States. The Australian rail network does carry freight, including intermodal freight, but the scale and reliance on rail for truck trailers (piggyback services) are not as significant as in the U.S.

Question 6

The shipping container was developed in 1970 by Marshall McLuan.

Accepted Answer

The shipping container was not developed by Marshall McLuan. It was actually developed by Malcolm McLean in 1956.

Question 7

Cargo going from the Far East to Europe can cross the North American continent via a land bridge.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is true because there is a land bridge in North America that connects the Far East to Europe. This land bridge is called the Bering Strait, and it is located between Alaska and Siberia.

Question 8

It is possible that some ocean freight traffic will be replaced by rail service between East Asia and Europe.

Accepted Answer

With the development of rail infrastructure and services, it is possible that some ocean freight traffic will shift to rail service between East Asia and Europe. This is already happening through initiatives like the China-Europe rail routes.

Question 9

The freight forwarding business is concentrated into a small number of very large companies.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The freight forwarding business is concentrated into...

Question 10

Double-stacking of containers on railroad cars is the standard practice in both North America and Europe.

Accepted Answer

In North America, double-stacking of containers on railroad cars is common due to the larger loading gauge, but in Europe, the practice is less common because of the smaller loading gauge and infrastructure constraints.

Question 11

Extended length containers are designed to hold cargo that does not fit in a 40-foot container.

Accepted Answer

Extended length containers, also known as 45-foot and 53-foot containers, are specifically created to accommodate larger cargo that cannot fit in a standard 40-foot container.

Question 12

Cargo that requires specific arrangements to be transported,because it exceeds weight and dimensional limits of traditional cargo,is called "project cargo."

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately defines project cargo as cargo that requires specific arrangements, such as specialized equipment, routes, or packaging, to be transported due to its size, weight, or complexity, which exceeds the limits of traditional cargo. Project cargo is typically associated with large-scale construction, infrastructure, or energy projects, and requires careful planning and execution to ensure timely and safe delivery.

Question 13

Special containers often are forced to return empty.

Accepted Answer

Special containers, such as refrigerated or hazardous material containers, may only be used for specific types of cargo and are often in high demand. As a result, they may need to return empty if there is no suitable cargo available for their specific type.

Question 14

Liquid-bulk containers cannot be stacked with traditional containers.

Accepted Answer

Liquid-bulk containers are designed to be compatible with standard container handling and stacking equipment, allowing them to be stacked with traditional containers.

Question 15

Pipelines can be used to transport coal.

Accepted Answer

Pipelines are used to transport liquids and gases, not solids like coal.

Question 16

Aircraft containers are used to aggregate small individual packages rather than to form a whole shipment.

Accepted Answer

Aircraft containers, also known as Unit Load Devices (ULDs), are used to consolidate smaller shipments of cargo into a larger unit for transport. This helps to maximize the use of space and optimize efficiency during air transportation.

Question 17

Heightened inspection levels have delayed border crossings worldwide.

Accepted Answer

Heightened inspection levels require additional security measures to be taken at border crossings, which can lead to delays. This has been observed globally in recent years.

Question 18

The Rotterdam Rules do not address the issues of cargo liability for cargo transported by land.

Accepted Answer

The Rotterdam Rules cover multimodal transport that includes a sea leg, addressing issues of cargo liability for cargo transported by land as part of a contract that includes sea transportation.

Question 19

FAST is a European program that facilitates border crossings for trucks carrying cargo between Europe and the rest of the world.

Accepted Answer

FAST (Free and Secure Trade) is actually a program between the US, Canada, and Mexico that allows expedited processing for pre-approved low-risk commercial carriers at the border. It does not apply to Europe or other regions.

Question 20

Railroad freight transport in the United States is a dying industry.

Accepted Answer

Railroad freight transport in the United States is still a significant industry, with approximately 28% of all freight tonnage moved in the country being transported via rail. While the industry has faced challenges, such as competition from trucking and declining coal shipments, it continues to play a major role in the transportation of goods across the country.

Quiz 13: International Land and Multi-Modal Transportation