Date Added: 8 August 2023
China-Europe freight trains total 10,000 trips so far this year
With increasing volumes of cargo being experienced on our LCL and FCL rail freight services between China and the UK, Davies Turner notes that freight trains have made 10,000 trips between the two areas, achieving this milestone 22 days earlier than the previous year, according to a report in Beijing's Global Times.
The article states that these trains have moved more than 1.08 million teu, a 27 per cent increase. They have injected momentum into economic development, while contributing to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to Chinese analysts.
China Railway has responded to the consistent stability in China's foreign trade by enhancing train capacity, establishing new routes, providing customised services, and reinforcing land-port infrastructure, the report adds.
As a result, China-Europe freight trains now traverse across nearly the entire Eurasian continent.
The network comprises 86 China-Europe freight routes, where trains can reach speeds of up to 120 kph.
For instance, the number of two-way trains running between Xi'an, located in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and Duisburg, Germany, has doubled.
The travel time between these points remains steady at 12 days, showcasing the efficiency of the service.
The trains cater to the diverse demands of European consumers, carrying goods ranging from fresh fruit and electronics to skincare products.
The success of these services can be attributed to the robust demand for cross-border goods transportation in the post-crisis era.
Additionally, their advantages include all-weather capabilities, ample capacity, low-carbon footprint, and the assurance of smooth and secure services, making them highly sought-after and reliable means of transportation.
Davies Turner’s own dedicated twice-weekly LCL Express China rail freight service is currently achieving an average 19 days transit time from departed Wuhan / X'ian to arrival our UK depot. Originally launched in 2018, the operation remains the only direct intermodal consolidation service between China and UK.
On departure from Wuhan / X'ian, the rail service heads direct to Duisburg in Germany. Containers are then trucked under bond to Rotterdam for transport by ferry to Purfleet, then on-carried by truck (still secure in the same container) to Davies Turner’s regional distribution centres across the UK, where they are discharged, customs cleared and delivered to final destination.
We also offer a dedicated weekly consol service by rail from the UK to China, which provides clients with a scaled tariff for export rail shipments - so the more you ship, the more you save!
For more information about our Express China rail freight services, please contact rail@daviesturner.co.uk or visit https://www.daviesturner.com/rail