Transloading is the process of transferring a
shipment from one mode of
transportation to another. It is most commonly employed when one mode cannot be used for the entire trip, such as when goods must be shipped internationally from one inland point to another. Such a trip might require transport by
truck to an
airport, then by
airplane overseas, and then by another truck to its destination; or it might involve bulk material (such as
coal) loaded to
rail at the
mine and then transferred to a
ship at a
port. Transloading is also required at railroad
break-of-gauge points, since the equipment between lines is not compatible.