SZ handles 188 China-Europe freight train trips in 2023

Shenzhen handled 188 China-Europe freight train trips throughout 2023, transporting 130,000 tons of goods worth a total of 4.6 billion yuan (US$642 million), according to the local customs.

This year’s first China-Europe freight train from Shenzhen left Pinghu South Comprehensive Logistics Hub on Jan. 4, carrying goods worth 47 million yuan, including laptops.

A container loaded with exported goods is being placed onto a Sino-Europe freight train in this file photo. China News Service

Shenzhen launched the China-Europe freight train service in August 2020. So far, the service has covered 41 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and Belarus, transporting cargo from over 4,000 enterprises, according to local customs.

Cargos can reach Duisburg in Germany from Shenzhen in 16 days by train, about 15 days faster than sea freight.

In recent years, Shenzhen has seen the export structure of China-Europe freight trains continuously optimized. In addition to the rapid growth of export of traditional commodities, such as household appliances, clothing, shoes, and hats, the export of high value-added products, such as electronic equipment, machinery and equipment, new energy vehicles, and fuel vehicles, has also shown a significant growth trend. Electronic consumer products now account for 50% of the total cargo volume.

To expand the routes and capacity, the city has launched tailored services such as cross-border e-commerce express trains, high-value goods express trains, and automobile trains. Currently, at least one high-value goods express train is operated every week, saving six to seven days compared to regular trains.

China-Europe trains, which started operations in 2011, had reached 217 cities in 25 European countries as of November last year, according to its operator China State Railway Group Co. Ltd.

As a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, the train service offers a new logistics channel between Asia and Europe that operates around the clock, has a large carrying capacity, and is green, low-carbon, and safe. Moreover, the freight only costs one-fifth of air transportation and takes a quarter of the time required by shipping, according to Xu Jianping, an official from the National Development and Reform Commission.