A dedicated container shipping service launched in the Black Sea is revolutionizing the efficiency of China-Europe freight trains departing from Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. By utilizing rail-sea intermodal transportation that traverses the Caspian and Black seas, goods are reaching their European destinations faster than ever before.
On Tuesday, the first freight train to benefit from this new service, loaded with machinery parts and equipment, departed from Xi’an International Port Station bound for Mannheim, Germany. This marks a significant milestone in streamlining logistics between China and Europe.
Previously, cargo relied on collective public transport, which often led to delays and reduced efficiency. Yuan Xiaojun, general manager of Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd., explained that the introduction of the dedicated shipping service has dramatically accelerated logistics and enhanced overall operational efficiency.
The waiting period in Poti, a port city in Georgia, will now be significantly shortened. Upon arrival in EU countries, containers will be transferred to self-operated locomotives and rail cars, reducing intermodal transit time by two-thirds, Yuan detailed.
The freight train will pass through countries and regions including Kazakhstan, Georgia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, covering a total distance of 11,300 kilometers. It is expected to reach its final destination in early September.
According to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., Xi’an has handled 2,998 China-Europe freight trains in the first seven months of this year, marking a 28.6 percent increase year on year. The cargo volume surged by 19.5 percent to 3.27 million tonnes, highlighting the growing demand and efficiency of this crucial trade route.
