China Europe Railway Transport Service

China Europe Railway Transport Service

1. General information:

Rail transport is a rapidly growing sector in logistics and serves as an excellent alternative to expensive air and sea freight, which can take over 40 days. The rail freight service from China to Europe was inspired by the Silk Road.

Centuries ago, China and Europe were connected by the Silk Road, which stretched from Xi'an through Central Asia to Constantinople. Goods such as silk, iron, and paper were transported along this route. However, with the advent of sea routes, the importance of the railway route diminished. Now, it is being revived and has become a significant trade link between Asia and Europe.

Rail transport on the China-Poland route was launched in 2013, but it was not widely popular at the time. The concept gained momentum when the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, initiated the New Silk Road.

The idea was conceived in 2008 with the signing of an agreement to simplify the rules for rail transport of goods, known as the SMGS convention.

2. AI Logistics railway transport service from China to Europe:

Types of transport:

• LCL (Less than Container Load)
• FCL (Full Container Load)
• It is also possible to transport goods at controlled temperatures, such as refrigerated transport.

Main terminals for transport between China and Europe:

• There are currently numerous railway connections between China and Europe.
• Routes that pass through Poland connect Antwerp and Duisburg with Chongqing, as well as Hamburg and Zhengzhou.
• These routes typically accommodate longer trains carrying around 250 containers.

Travel time using rail freight:

• Trains from China to Poland cover a distance of 11,000 km and take between 7 to 17 days, depending on the origin and destination terminals.
• The travel time to Germany is approximately 19 days. For example, a train from Shilong to Duisburg stops in Warsaw and passes through Yekaterinburg, Moscow, Malaszewicze, Warsaw, Hamburg, and finally reaches Duisburg. This route spans over 13,000 km.
• Goods can also be transported by train from China to the United Kingdom. For instance, a train from Yiwu to London takes 18 days.

Transit time and door-to-door delivery:

• The transit time can be extended by about two days when opting for door-to-door delivery. This largely depends on the destination and the final station of the train.
• Many forwarding companies now offer door-to-door services.

Cost of rail transport:

• Rail transport costs are nearly three times lower than air transport. The railway route can reduce costs by approximately 30%.
• The price for a container usually ranges from USD 4,900 to 10,000, depending on the type of goods being transported.

3. Main transport routes:

Based on 2018 data on the total number of freight trains departing from China to Europe, we present the top 5 Chinese cities connected to Europe by rail.

Chengdu:

• Known for its advanced technology production, Chengdu, located approximately 1080 km from the coast, sent over 1,591 trains to Europe in 2019.
• The main routes include Chengdu-Budapest, -Lodz, -Moscow, -Nuernberg, and -Tilburg.
• Goods transported include food, clothing, appliances, and cars.

Chongqing:

• As one of China's separate cities, Chongqing had 1,442 trains to Europe in 2018.
• Notably, it connects to Cherkessk, Duisburg, and Minsk.
• Products transported include chemicals, food, furniture, and vehicles.

Xi'an:

• Historically significant as the origin of the Silk Road, Xi'an dispatched 1,235 trains to Europe in 2018.
• Key routes include Xi'an-Budapest, -Ghent, -Hamburg, -Kouvola, -Milan, and -Warsaw.
• It mainly transports mother and child products, soft drinks, and vitamins.

Zhengzhou:

• Known for phone manufacturing, Zhengzhou has daily trains to Europe.
• It connects to Hamburg, Liege, and Munich, transporting textiles, car parts, and electronics.

Wuhan:

• Despite having access to the sea, Wuhan is increasingly utilizing rail transport.
• It sent 423 trains to Europe in 2018, linking to Duisburg, Hamburg, Lodz, and more.
• Items transported include electronics, clothing, machinery, and medical products.

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