Freight trains to Europe set records in March as nation’s trade improves

Chinese cargo transportation is on an upswing, with officials saying that the numbers of China-Europe freight trains and containers set records in March as the nation’s imports and exports improved.

China-Europe freight trains made 809 journeys and delivered 73,000 containers in

March, reaching record highs for a single month in both cases, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday.

Gao Feng, spokesperson of the MOFCOM, said that in the first quarter, 1,941 trains ran and 174,000 containers were shipped, up 15 percent and 18 percent year-on-year, respectively.

“China-Europe freight trains have been operating safely and steadily since the beginning of this year,” Gao said, explaining that compared with sea or air transportation, trains provide “contactless service”, making them less affected by the pandemic.

With the resumption of production in China, the freight trains in many places have resumed normal operation.

Khorgas City in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous

Region reportedly operated 691 China-Europe cargo trains with more than 32,000 containers in the first quarter.

Gao said that China’s imports and exports improved in March, and the recovery rate for more than 76 percent of the country’s key foreign trade companies exceeded 70 percent.

However, Gao warned that orders for some foreign trade companies were being delayed or canceled, and new orders were being cut, especially in the industries of textiles and clothing.

A note sent to the Global Times by Shanghai New Union Textra Import and Export Co said that there were no new orders currently, and it predicted that profit in the first half of this year might decline 50-60 percent.