The China Railway Express (CR Express), a major international freight train service connecting China, Europe, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, has witnessed significant growth in the first four months of the year. From January to April, CR Express operated a total of 6,184 freight trains, delivering 675,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods—a year-on-year increase of 10% and 11%, respectively, according to China Railway Group Limited (CREC).
This steady expansion marks a decade of innovative efforts since the launch of the BRI project. By the end of April, the CR Express had completed over 89,000 trips, reaching 223 cities across 25 European countries. The service has become a vital link in global trade, offering new possibilities for collaborative and sustainable commerce between Asia and Europe.
In the January to April period, five China-Europe freight trains with full timetables commenced steady weekly services between Xi’an and Duisburg, Germany, as well as between Chengdu and Łódź, Poland. This expansion, along with the addition of 16 overseas return points, has strengthened China-Europe freight options to meet the diverse needs of global customers.
The CR Express not only revitalizes the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road but also enhances livelihoods across Eurasia. Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, noted that the service has continuously added new lines and expanded its capacity over the past decade, providing the continent with fresh land transport corridors and new bridges for economic and trade cooperation.
The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the CR Express have been lauded by the international community. An analysis by Foreign Policy magazine described the BRI as “a blueprint for what every nation needs in an age of uncertainty and disruption,” emphasizing that “the solution to supply shocks is more supply chains. More belts, more roads.”
Over the past ten years, the routes of the CR Express have seen streamlined customs clearance and inspection processes, improved business environments at ports of entry, and more standardized rules and regulations for cross-border transportation. These enhancements have facilitated smoother trade flows and strengthened economic ties between participating countries.
As the world enters the age of artificial intelligence (AI), the CR Express has the opportunity to further solidify its position as a vital link in the global trade network. Embracing AI technologies can optimize logistics operations, improve route planning, and enhance predictive maintenance for trains. Such advancements would lead to greater efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, ultimately benefiting all nations involved.
Reference(s):
China-Europe freight train service expands 10% since January
cgtn.com
