To help with a reduction in shipping capacity due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the China to Europe freight train has experienced a peak in services over the last two months.
As of the 6th May, the number of freight trains originating in Xi’an had reached 1,000 in 2020, 78 days earlier than the same period in 2019.
Cargo on the trains totalled 1.923 million tonnes, an increase of 41.7%.
The 1000th train of 2020 started from Xi’an Xinzhu station and headed to Uzbekistan in May.
In response to COVID, Xi’an opened a dedicated channel for trains to maintain normal operations.
Since the launch of the China-Europe freight trains in 2013, the number of countries using the service is increasing.
The train, which starts off from Xi’an, can travel through more than 40 countries.
As of April 2020, there is a new Xi’an to Barcelona route. The first train set off on 8th April 2020 and took 18 days to arrive in Barcelona.
Roland Verbraak, General Manager at GVT Group of Logistics comments on the importance of the China-Europe freight train services. He says: “We first started using the China-Europe freight train services just over three years ago, and as of last year, we have been sending 5 trains per week. By train, we are able to receive goods in 15 days, whereas air-freight takes 10-20 days due to capacity, and is also four times more expensive. Because of this, freight-trains are becoming more popular.
“During the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are still achieving 5-6 trains per week from China to Europe. The freight-trains have enabled us to continue operating as close to business as usual as possible during the pandemic. I have no doubt that the future is bright for freight trains from China to Europe as many other businesses start to recognise the benefits.”
Mr. Xinhuang, Director of Xi’an Xinzhu Station of China Railway Xi’an Group says: “We are delighted to be able to be a solution to many enterprises during this stressful time. The China-Europe freight train service has clear benefits and has become the main means of transporting goods between China and Europe.
“We have been able to maintain operations as usual during the pandemic and have in fact extended our train services by reducing interval times and reaching new destinations such as Barcelona.
“It’s great that the China-Europe freight train service can encourage businesses around the world to connect, trade and join hands in the fight against COVID-19.”
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Responses
Why not introduce a new continental freight service from other countries to the UK including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway and Finland), Poland, Hungary, Greece, Turkey and other landlocked countries that freight services could be possible to reach by rail via the Channel Tunnel.