A new trans-Caspian international transport corridor for the China-Europe Railway Express was launched on Friday in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. This development marks a significant advancement in trade connectivity between China and Europe.
The China-Europe freight train departed from Xi’an International Port Station and will traverse Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic before reaching its final destination in Mannheim, Germany. Covering a total distance of 11,300 kilometers, the route enhances the efficiency of goods transport across the continent.
The launching ceremony was jointly organized by 15 members of the International Association of Trans-Caspian International Transport Routes. Yuan Xiaojun, general manager of Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation, highlighted the collaborative efforts that have transformed the service model.
“In the past, trans-Caspian international transport primarily operated through outsourcing, with various rail and logistics companies commissioned separately,” Yuan explained. “However, today, all member units have united their efforts and resources in Xi’an to collaboratively serve the Chinese market. This shift and upgrade not only enhances the efficiency, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness of transporting goods from China to Europe via this corridor but also deepens the integration of services from the trans-Caspian member units into China, fostering a stronger connection with the Chinese export market.”
Since the launch of the trans-Caspian and Black Sea train services in April 2022, Xi’an’s trans-Caspian train operations have experienced rapid growth. The frequency has increased from one train every seven days to six to seven trains per week. To date, a total of 150 trains have been dispatched, transporting 137,000 tonnes of goods.
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New trans-Caspian corridor of China-Europe Railway launched in Xi'an
cgtn.com
