Shenzhen has reported a significant increase in China-Europe freight train shipments during the first half of 2024, with a total of 96 trains departing the city, according to Shenzhen Customs on Tuesday. This marks a year-on-year growth of 34.2 percent, with a cumulative shipment value reaching 2.74 billion yuan (approximately $384.2 million).
The freight trains traversed through Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, and other European countries and regions, transporting over 100 types of goods. Key exports included electronic products, mechanical equipment, and clothing, highlighting Shenzhen’s role as a vital hub in the global supply chain.
“Compared to maritime and air transport, China-Europe freight trains are less susceptible to natural disruptions and offer high stability,” said Xu Zhenkang, a Shenzhen Customs official. “They are very attractive to companies seeking to deliver products with certain volumes and high requirements for transport timeliness.”
Shenzhen Customs oversees a diverse range of export products, including high-value-added and high-tech goods such as electronic products and robots, as well as household goods, machinery, and equipment, Xu noted.
Local enterprises have achieved remarkable success in exporting electronic appliances, digital products, and other goods from Shenzhen via the China-Europe freight trains. An increasing number of goods from the Pearl River Delta region—including cities like Foshan and Zhongshan—are also being transported to Shenzhen for export on these trains.
“China-Europe freight trains have become an important bridge connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with Europe,” Xu added. “Since the beginning of this year, we have supported train operators in relaunching a Shenzhen-Budapest route, enabling enterprises to expand their markets and seize new opportunities.”
Data shows that in the first half of 2024, Shenzhen’s imports and exports totaled 2.2 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 31.7 percent. This figure marks a record high for the same period and accounts for 10.4 percent of the national total trade volume.
Reference(s):
Shenzhen reports China-Europe freight train shipment increase in H1
cgtn.com
