Landbridge

Summary of Landbridge

A method of transporting goods partially by land and partially by water as a substitute for all-water movements. Originated in the mid 1960s as a means of moving European-Far East cargoes across the United States during the interruption of Suez Canal service, the concept of land- bridge has been expanded to include a variety of transoceanic movements encompassing an inland leg. Landbridge movements can be categorized as follows: 1. Pure landbridge, a transcontinental land movement with prior and subsequent movement by water (e.g., Yokohama to Oakland, thence by rail to Baltimore, then by vessel to Rotterdam).

2. Mini-landbridge, a transcontinental movement with prior or subsequent movement by water (e.g., Yokohama to Oakland, thence by rail to New York); this service is a substitute for running a ship through the Panama Canal from Japan to New York.

3. Micro-landbridge, a movement from or to an interior point with prior or subsequent movement by water (e.g., Yokohama to Oakland, thence by rail to Saint Louis).

In all “bridge”movements, the ocean carrier issues a through bill of lading to final destination, making all arrangements for land transportation; the cost of such land transportation is included in the ocean carrier's rate

(Main Author: William J. Miller)

Landbridge in International Trade

Meaning of Landbridge, according to the Dictionary of International Trade (Global Negotiator): Multi-modal transportation where containerized cargo is brought to a port on one coast, unloaded to ground transport, transported to a port on another coast, and loaded on to another vessel. Usually, a single carrier (often the provider of main carriage transportation) takes responsibility for the entire shipment.