Imports and vehicle batches
Collection from sellers or storage facilities, consolidation and shipment through a suitable port. Vehicle readiness matters: one delayed car can affect the entire batch.
WEST MATTERHORN
Multimodal car shipping
We combine road, sea or rail transport to suit the route. We arrange each stage from collection to delivery for individual vehicles and vehicle batches.
Request a shipping quote
One journey, more than one mode of transport
Multimodal shipping uses two or more modes of transport. A car may travel by road transporter, continue by RoRo vessel or in a container, then return to road transport after arrival. Our role is to connect those stages: who receives the vehicle, when it can move on and which services the agreed price covers.
- 01
Collection by road
- 02
Sea: RoRo or container
- 03
Port release
- 04
Delivery to the recipient
An example route. Service availability and schedules are checked for each shipment, along with the transport modes, ports and intermediate facilities.
When a combined route makes sense
Destinations beyond the port
The sea leg is only part of the journey. We plan release, customs arrangements and onward transport to a warehouse, dealership or private address.
Vehicle-specific transport needs
A low-clearance sports car, a commercial van and a standard passenger car may need different loading arrangements and road transport options.
How we coordinate the shipment
Check the shipment details
We need addresses, models, dimensions, condition and vehicle quantities. We confirm the parties involved, readiness dates and any delivery constraints.
Agree the route and scope
We select transport modes and handover points. We compare the full cost, including inland transport, waiting time and additional handling, not just ocean freight.
Coordinate the full schedule
Collection is coordinated with port or warehouse receiving windows. Vehicle condition and documents are checked at handovers before the next stage.
Arrange final delivery
We confirm release requirements, unloading arrangements and access to the address. Final delivery is agreed with the recipient once the cargo is ready for collection.
Road transport and loading stages
Price the whole journey, not just the sea leg
Transport and handling
The quote separates collection, main carriage, terminal operations and onward delivery. We clarify whether loading, securing and unloading are included.
Shipment-specific charges
Clearance services, storage, potential waiting charges and requested insurance are identified separately. Duties and taxes should not be assumed included unless the offer explicitly says so.
Time to the final destination
Transit time is only part of the total: departure waiting time, terminal processing and release also matter. Changes to a sailing or train departure may require onward transport to be rescheduled.
Documents and responsibility at each handover
- Vehicles and parties
- We check VINs, purchase or ownership records and shipper and consignee details against route requirements. The required document set depends on the countries involved.
- Documents for each stage
- Transport documents and condition reports are coordinated across handovers. A sea transport document alone does not confirm that inland delivery is included.
- An agreed scope of responsibility
- The offer and contract define our services and each party’s duties. Central coordination does not mean identical carrier liability across every leg or automatic cargo insurance.
Why the RAM shipment combined containers and road transport
Three new RAM RHO pickups travelled from Miami via Poti to an importer’s site in Bishkek. At the client’s request, containers were used instead of RoRo: two pickups in a 40-foot container and the third in a 20-foot container. After the sea leg, the vehicles were unloaded and continued by car transporter. Customs clearance and insurance were outside our service scope.
View caseIn practice
Real West Matterhorn projects
Examples of completed multimodal shipments. These are actual delivery times for individual orders. We estimate the lead time for each new shipment separately.
Ferrari F12 TDF
- Route
- Yokohama → Bremerhaven → Prague
- Method
- Door-to-door container shipping
- Timing
- 57 days
Two new Volkswagen Crafter L3H3 vans, 2026
- Route
- Mühlhausen (Affing) → Constanta → Poti → Azerbaijan → Aktau → Bishkek
- Method
- Multimodal delivery of two commercial vehicles
- Timing
- 39 calendar days from collection to terminal arrival
BMW X5 Hybrid, 2022
- Route
- San Diego → Los Angeles → Ambarli → Poti
- Method
- Multimodal shipping
- Timing
- 61 days
Shipping questions
How does multimodal shipping differ from intermodal shipping?
Multimodal shipping uses more than one mode of transport. Intermodal shipping also keeps the same loading unit, such as a container, without unloading the car when changing modes. Intermodal shipping is a form of multimodal transport.
Does the route have to use a container?
No. Road collection, a RoRo sea leg and onward road delivery also form a multimodal journey.
Can you quote door-to-door delivery?
Yes. Collection, release, clearance arrangements and delivery to the specific address must be checked before the order is agreed.
Do you handle batches and commercial vehicles?
Yes. Please provide a vehicle list, dimensions and weights, condition, addresses and readiness dates. Suitability for the proposed transport is assessed separately.
Are tracking and insurance included?
Status updates and tracking availability depend on the route and providers. Insurance is arranged by agreement, with cover and exclusions checked before dispatch.
Terminology and shipping methods
If the car should remain in the same container when moving between road, rail and sea, an intermodal arrangement may fit the shipment.
Updated: 11 October 2026
More about shipping by origin
Vehicle collection, documents and route options. Each shipment is confirmed individually.