On the morning of June 25th local time, the X8155 China Europe freight train (Xi'an Duisburg), loaded with cross-border e-commerce goods, automotive parts, and daily necessities, traveled more than 9900 kilometers across the Eurasian continent after 15 days of operation and arrived at the DIT freight station in Duisburg, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany.
Duisburg on the Rhine River is the largest inland railway freight hub in Europe. In the summer season, the freight station is bustling with activity. Four ten meter high gantry cranes are arranged in a staggered manner, and various loading and unloading equipment and large trucks operate efficiently. A large number of containers from China are stacked in an orderly manner, waiting for transfer and distribution to various parts of Europe.
This June marks the 10th anniversary of the unified branding of the China Europe freight train. As of June 10th, the number of China Europe freight trains operating this year has exceeded 10000, with over 1 million TEUs of goods shipped, setting a new historical high for the same period. Relying on the advantage of large-scale operation, Duisburg continues to undertake nearly 30% of the cargo volume of China Europe freight trains in Europe.
While stabilizing the two-way trade between China and Germany, as well as China and Europe, the China Europe freight trains have effectively benefited people's livelihoods and created over 20000 new job opportunities throughout the logistics chain in Duisburg. In the past 10 years, the number of Chinese enterprises landing in Duisburg has increased from 40 to over 120. Thomas Krahniki, a 59 year old resident of Duisburg, is engaged in loading and unloading work at the overseas warehouse of the Chongqing Xinjiang Europe Germany branch. With the steady growth of two-way freight volume on the China Europe freight train, he has obtained a stable and considerable income.
Against the backdrop of sluggish global economic growth and international trade pressure, the China Europe freight train has created a new pattern of international transportation between Asia and Europe, bringing stable dividends to economic and trade cooperation along the route.
Trans Eurasian Germany Limited is a comprehensive logistics company located in Duisburg, with over 80% of its total business volume related to China Europe freight trains. Irfan Turan, the Deputy General Manager of the company, stated that the current global geopolitical environment is complex and constantly changing, and traditional transportation modes such as sea and air freight are affected. "Based on the feedback we have received from our communication with customers, the main reason why customers choose the China Europe freight train is its stability.
Shao Bol, General Manager of Xi'an International Land Port Multimodal Transport Co., Ltd., introduced that the China Europe freight train from Xi'an to Duisburg has achieved regular and stable operation throughout the year. With the increase in operating density and optimization of source structure, the China Europe freight train has provided a stable and efficient logistics channel for trade between China and Europe and along the route, and is increasingly favored by domestic and foreign customers
Mingmen International Freight Company launched its independently operated China Europe freight train LCL service as early as September 2015. Today, the China Europe freight train has become an indispensable part of the European logistics landscape. It is no longer just an alternative mode of transportation, but a mature and trustworthy international supply chain solution, "said the company's railway business director, Beitsav Cewei
The China Europe freight train also opens up opportunities for trade cooperation between countries along the route and China. At present, the goods transported by the China Europe freight train cover 53 major categories and over 50000 types of commodities. While meeting the needs of people in countries and regions along the route, it has also become a "fast lane" for Asian and European agricultural and animal husbandry products, chemical raw materials, consumer goods, and other products to enter the Chinese market.
According to data from the Chinese Consulate General in Dusseldorf, as of June 15th this year, a total of 466 China Europe freight trains have been operated from Duisburg, a year-on-year increase of 33%. Chinese Consul General Yu Yong in Dusseldorf said that the China Europe freight train has become a benchmark project that benefits the livelihoods of people in Asia and Europe. Against the backdrop of global economic recovery under pressure, the China Europe freight train continues to play a key role as a supply chain stabilizer and regional cooperation adhesive, effectively enhancing the resilience of the Asia Europe regional economy to risks.
Daniel Thomas, 38 years old this year, serves as the sales manager of Duisburg DIT freight station. He has visited Shanghai, Xi'an, Wuhan and other places due to the China Europe freight train, and has a deep impression of China's urban construction and infrastructure modernization. Thomas said that in the past decade, the increasingly close trade ties between Europe and China have driven the rapid development of China Europe freight trains. Nowadays, more and more goods are being loaded from Duisburg and sent to China via China Europe freight trains, with a more balanced balance between outbound and return trains. "I believe that China Europe freight trains will get better and better, and I should still work here in the next 10 years.
The China Europe freight train has surpassed logistics itself and become a bridge and link for mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, "Turan said. The company is confident in the development prospects of the China Europe freight train and is actively planning to expand its hub stations and facility network in Germany and surrounding countries. (Looking into the New Era)