An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2024 shows vehicles transferring containers at the Tuanjiecun Station of Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park in Shapingba District of Chongqing, southwest China. This major logistical hub is central to the milestone achieved by the China-Europe freight train service, which recently marked 100,000 trips.
On November 15, 2024, the 100,000th China-Europe freight train set off from Chongqing, illustrating the prominence and efficiency of this service, which has become integral to trade between China and Europe. This train departed fully loaded with various goods, including electronic products, vehicles, and household appliances, showcasing the diverse cargo transported by this rail network.
Zhang Xiaolong from Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd. highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, "The China-Europe freight train service enables more high-quality Chinese products to reach overseas markets faster and at lower transportation costs, which also creates a new gateway for foreign businesses to enter the Chinese market." This is just one of the perspectives reinforcing the value of this endeavor.
Launched initially in March 2011, the China-Europe freight train service from Chongqing to Duisburg forged a direct overland trade passage linking the two regions. Since then, it has facilitated the transport of over 11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of goods, valued at more than 420 billion U.S. dollars. This rapid expansion highlights the growing interdependence between the economies of China and Europe.
Operational efficiency has vastly increased, with the time required to complete 10,000 trips reduced dramatically from seven and a half years to just six months, as reported by the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. Thanks to this impressive improvement, the logistics network has successfully expanded its reach. Currently, the service spans 227 cities across 25 European countries and over 100 cities within 11 Asian nations.
The range of goods shipped has broadened significantly, now exceeding 53 categories and more than 50,000 types of products. High-tech items, including new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products, are among the growing list of exports utilizing this rail network. This evolution reflects the shifting demands and efficiencies within global trade.
Often termed as the “stabilizer” for Asia-Europe trade, the China-Europe freight train service not only enhances economic ties but contributes to reliable supply chains. This transport corridor has come at a time when global logistics demand is on the rise and traditional shipping methods face challenges linked to delays and rising costs.
The recent acknowledgment of the 100,000th trip serves as both recognition and motivation for continued growth. According to Liu Bori, head of international railway business for SF Express, the service provides the ideal combination of speed, cost, and reliability, stating, "The main advantage of the China-Europe freight train is its fast transport times. A sea shipment from China to Europe usually takes about 35 days, but the rail service reduces this to just 20 days." Liu explained how the increasing efficiency of the rail network also makes it less susceptible to adverse weather and port congestion, bolstering its reputation as a more reliable and stable option for cross-border trade.
The freight train system has seen exponential growth, with the number of trains jumping from 1,702 annually to over 17,000 between 2016 and 2023. Liu's company has already shipped over 8,000 containers via this service, representing goods across various sectors, including clothing, electronics, and machinery—all valued at more than 1.6 billion yuan (about $221.3 million).
With increasing demand for efficient and dependable logistics solutions, the future of the China-Europe freight train service seems promising. This initiative's continued success and expansion will likely play a pivotal role not only for the economies involved but for reimagining how international trade flows across continents. Efforts to strengthen these connections serve as proof of how integrated global trade has become and the potential for innovation therein.
Looking forward, as the need for sustainable and rapid transport grows, the China-Europe freight train is positioned to be at the forefront of shaping modern trade routes and partnerships between China and Europe. It is evident from the figures and testimonies from those involved with the service, the milestone is just the beginning of this logistical revolution.
