Reading workshop: International transport

Logistics Management
SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE – SENA

Reading workshop: International transport

Methods of international transport

1. Identifying key information

Based on the information presented in the article, answer the following questions:
1. What’s the articles’ main idea?

a. There are many ways to transport goods.

b. Transport is very important in international trade.
c. There are several factors companies need to consider when deciding on
what type of transport to use
d. Depending on the mode of transport, companies can be more efficient and
save money.
 Reading workshop: International transport
Logistics Management
SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE – SENA

2. According to the article, what are some of the factors a company needs to take
into account when choosing the method of transport to deliver their goods?

a. Business type and expertise

b. Sending cost and type of goods
c. Type and value of goods, sending cost, destination, and risk of
transportation
d. Weather conditions and customers’ requirements

3. What mode of transport allows companies to transport large quantities at a low

cost?

a. Rail transport
b. Air transport
c. Road transport
d. Sea transport

4. What method of transport is more flexible in terms of routes and timetables?

a. Rail transport
b. Air transport
c. Road transport
d. Sea transport

5. What methods of transport require companies to spend more money on further

transportation costs to take goods to their final destination?

a. Rail transport and sea transport

b. Air transport and road transport
c. Road transport
d. Sea transport, air transport and rail transport

6. When is it necessary to complete a dangerous goods declaration?

a. When the goods are being transported to countries located in Europe, North
Africa or the Middle East.
b. When the goods are being transported by rail.
c. When the goods that are being transported have a UN dangerous goods
code.
d. When the goods are being transported with no insurance.
 Reading workshop: International transport
Logistics Management
SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE – SENA

2. Finding similar words

The following wordlist contains words from the article on methods of

international transport. For each word find a word with the same or similar
meaning (synonym).

Word Synonym
Trade COMERCE
Ensure PROTECT
Efficient EFFECTIVE
Requirement NECESSITY
Quick FAST
Risk DANGER
Send DISPATCH
Customer CLIENT
Suitable APPROPRIATE
Delay PUT OFF
Deliver BRING
Currency MONEY
Insurance ASSURANCE

3. Find the missing words

Choose the option that better completes the following passage:

When Transporting freight internationally, it’s important to choose the appropriate
mode of transportation to ensure your products arrive on time and at the right
cost. Your decision to ship by land, sea, or air depends on a careful evaluation of
business needs and a comparison of the benefits each method affords. Picking
the best possible mode of transportation is critical to export success.
a. Selling / irrelevant / ensure / decision / costs / comparison / noncritical
b. Transporting / important / ensure / decision / needs / comparison /critical
c. Transporting / irrelevant / support / comparison / needs / assessment
/critical
d. Selling / relevant / ensure / decision / needs / comparison / critical
 Reading workshop: International transport
Logistics Management
SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE – SENA

4. Summarizing ideas visually

Based on the article, make a concept map or mind map with information related to
modes of transport. Remember to complete the diagram by writing on it only main
ideas and key information from the reading passage that deals with methods of
international transport.

MODES OF TRANSPORT

Transportation and distribution play an important role

in international trade, there are various modes of
transport for companies wishing to import and export

MARINE AIR GROUND RAILWAY

TRANSPORT TRANSPORT TRANSPORTATI TRANSPORT
ON

This mode of Air transport is ideal Land transport is It is a widely used

transport has the for transporting the only means of transport
lowest costs of general cargo and transport capable worldwide,
International perishable cargo, of performing a because its
Physical although it has “door-to-door” infrastructure
Distribution (DFI), restrictions for some service on its with respect to
given its ability to products. Due to its own, that is, it roads and
move large speed, insurance can collect the vehicles is
volume costs are lower and merchandise at assured. It offers
merchandise, low cargo is safer. the exporter's different types of
value and its However, the factory and rail freight cars in
ability to travel shipping capacity is deliver it directly vans, gondolas,
large. more limited by the to the importer. hoppers, trailers,
space available in tanks, duplex and
the ships. triplex cars.
 Reading workshop: International transport
Logistics Management
SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE – SENA

5.Matching headings

Headings are short sentences that summarize the information in a paragraph. You
have to pick the one that best summarizes the information in the following
paragraphs. Match each paragraph in the reading text to one heading. Be careful,
there are always more headings than paragraphs.

Headings

• Legal requirements needed to carry goods by road

• Rail transport uses
• Means of transportation
• Factors that influence company’s decision on which type of transport to use
• Rail transport benefits
• Difficulties of transporting goods by rail
• International transportation of goods by road
•

• Paragraph 1: MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION

Road, sea, rail and air are four ways of import and export. As a first step the
company has to consider all part of their project, firstly, it is important what has to
be distributed including size, weight and which type of goods. For example, for the
transportation of foods or fruits, speed is important and it’s important to choose the
shortest and quickest way. Sending cost is another element very important and
depends on the agency. Destination, countries’ law, value of goods, risk of
transport are other elements to be considered and depend on company, country of
destination and customers’ requirements. So who wants to deal with international
transportation has to balance quality, cost, time and conditions.
 Reading workshop: International transport
Logistics Management
SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE – SENA

Paragraph 2:

Risks for rail transport: DIFFICULTIES OS TRASNPORTATION GOODS BY RAIL

• routes and timetables available can be inflexible, especially in remote regions

• can be more expensive than road transport
• mechanical failure or industrial action can disrupt services
• further transportation may be needed from a rail depot to the final destination,
increasing costs and affecting delivery schedules

Paragraph 3: INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION

The international transport of dangerous goods by road is subject to international

legislation, in particular the European Agreement on the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods
must hold an ADR training certificate in handling dangerous goods. All commercial
vehicles that carry dangerous goods must pass the ADR test, and some of them
need to be built with special standards.

Paragraph 4: RAIL TRANSPORT BENEFITS

Rail transport is a cost-effective and efficient way to move goods. It offers the
following advantages: fast rail network throughout Europe. It is environmentally
friendly compared with other transport systems.
 Reading workshop: International transport
Logistics Management
SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE – SENA

6. Making comparisons

Based on the article on methods of international transport complete the following

comparison chart by listing the advantages and disadvantages of each mode of
transportation.

Air transport See transport Road Rail transport

transport

- Faster -Economic -More -Little polluting

-Greater economical
geographic -Great variety -Avoid traffic
Advantages coverage of cargo -Door to door problems
-Safety, low service
loss rate -Less -Greater
restrictions on -Traceability: traceability
cargo (type, follow-up with
weight, volume) the new
systems

-More -Need for -Very polluting -Share the

expensive infrastructure (emissions and railroad with
on land and waste) passenger
Disadvantages -Restrictions on customs transport, who
the type of services -Subject to are preferred
cargo traffic
(dangerous ...) -Relative restrictions -They do not
speed, meet the
-Limitation of depending on -Higher schedules
the load by size the vessel and accident rate in
of doors and type of service tons per -Subject to
capacity, as kilometer physical height
well as by -Less and volume
weight traceability restrictions
Delayed