Strong China-Europe rail links boost cargo
Rail freight is an alternative to the quick but expensive option of sending goods
LONDON, United Kingdom (China Daily) — While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented disruption to the world economy, it has also strengthened the rail links between China and Europe, and industry experts believe the growing volume of rail freight between East and West will aid the economic recovery of countries and regions along the routes of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The number of China-Europe freight trains surged significantly during the first half of this year, with a total of 5,122 trains put into operation, up 36 percent year-on-year, according to the China State Railway Group.
Howard Rosen, chairman of the not-for-profit Rail Working Group, said, “The growth has emphasized the need for fast and secure supply chains, and it has been part of a long-term trend driven by faster delivery times for goods going in both directions as well as a highly reliable service.”
An opportunity to increase rail freight’s market presence.
According to Carsten Pottharst, managing director of InterRail Europe: “In 2020, we just had a kind of a prolonged Chinese New Year. China restarted with a huge boost of West-bound traffic. One of the reasons is that railway companies were ready, whereas long-distance trucking was difficult in China and also deep-sea capacity was reduced as ships were laying in the ports.”
The freight trains have played an important role in helping with the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, since large quantities of medical supplies were transported via rail to affected countries and regions. Anti-pandemic supplies totaling 3.67 million items and weighing 27,000 tons were sent during the first half of the year.
Experts said disruptions to air and sea transportation as a result of COVID-19 have presented an opportunity to increase rail freight’s market presence.