China-Europe freight trains weekly commentary（Feb.6-Feb.12)

China-Europe freight train operation updates（Week7）

In the 7th week, the China-Europe freight train keeps running smoothly, and the port optimize its coordination to speed up its operation. Recently, the congestion at the Alashankou and Khorgos has been alleviated, and the overall T/T of most trains to Europe and Russia has been improved. Among them, it takes about 12-15 days for trains to depart from Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Yiwu and other major terminals to arrive at Malaszewicze, and the overall T/T for Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hefei, Guiyang, Zengcheng and other stations to arrive at Moscow is 14-19 days. However, according to the freight forwarder, the handling at Erenhot and Manzhouli dwell longer, and there are trains waiting for more than three weeks in Erenhot.

This week, the freight demand in the European-bound routes were insufficient, and the main platforms had not yet announced the new prices for the coming month. The spot freight rates remained stable. In February, the spaces of the public train had been sold out, and only a few remained in circulation. In the direction of the Russian line, the supply of spaces continues to be tight, and it is suggested that those in need in the middle March should make a reservation in advance right now. The spot freight rate fluctuates around 7500 dollars. Last week, Cargo Talk said in the weekly report that due to the reduction of the plan and the growth of volume, the spaces on the trains to Central Asia is very tight. This week, the situation continues, the market inquiry flood in, and the freight rate hovers at a high level. Containers need to Yiwu, Jinhua and other places need to wait in line to enter the station.

There was no obvious change in the container-leasing price this week. In general, the price in inland cities such as Zhengzhou, Wuhan and Changsha were higher than that in coastal cities. The situation of containers destined for Russia has been relieved with an exception of Guangzhou. In addition, the subsidy for returned containers on the Russian line was reduced to US $100-200.?

New train builds efficiency for China-ASEAN biz

The China-Laos-Thailand round-trip train, an extension of the China-Laos Railway, was successfully launched on February 7. The new efficient, stable cold chain channel is expected to inject new impetus into trade between China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The train, which runs between Kunming and Bangkok, consists of 19 cold chain containers able to carry 286 metric tons of fresh vegetables, with a total travel time of 55 hours.According to China Railway Kunming Group Co Ltd, the operator of the railway,?compared with the previous mode of railway plus highway transportation, the transportation time is one day shorter and the cost is at least 20 percent lower. When the train travels back, it will carry a full load of seasonal fruit such as longan and durian.(BY Chinadaily)

Cargo traffic via Russia-China border hits record high in January

The start of the year saw a record-high volume of cargo traffic through the Russian-Chinese border. According to China Railway Harbin Group, around 1.5 million tonnes of cargo were transported through the Zabaykalsk-Manchuria railway border crossing during the first month of 2023, which is by 82.9% more than in January last year.

The Russian Consulate General in Harbin told the media, mutual trade between the two countries is expected to grow even more in light of easing Covid-19 restrictions in China.Coal exports from Russia to China had doubled in January year on year, with around 10,000 tonnes of coal delivered daily to the Manchuria railway station. The supplies of Russia's fertilizers via the border crossing had increased by 41% ahead of the start of the agricultural season, the mission added.(By Al Mayadeen)

Hungary's Multimodal Transport Project to Cover the Entire Europe Via Yuxinou

Hungary's multimodal transport base, G?ny? Multimodal Terminal (GMT), recently received funds of 53 million euros and will start its construction in six to eight months.This is Chongqing's first overseas third-party market heavy asset under the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI), jointly constructed by four parties in three countries of China, Singapore, and Hungary.?

After its completion, the goods sent to Europe via China Railway Express (Yuxinou) can be assembled and distributed in warehouses in Germany and Hungary, thereby covering the entire European region. Furthermore, the operational efficiency of China Railway Express will be enhanced, and the linkage development of the channel, trade and industry among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Chongqing, and Europe will also be further strengthened.?（BY?IChongQing）

Quanzhou?launched first China-Europe freight-train trip to Moscow in 2023

A freight train loaded with 55 forty-foot equivalent unit containers of goods left the city of Quanzhou for the Russian capital Moscow, marking the first trip of 2023 for Quanzhou-Moscow freight train service.The goods include locally-made sanitary appliances, sports equipment and aluminum products, among other items, with a total weight of over 600 tonnes and a total value of around 17.5 million yuan (about 2.6 million U.S. dollars).

The train is scheduled to reach Moscow through the Xingguo-Quanzhou railway for the first time, saving 213 km distance and two days compared to the former route, according to the deputy head of Huangtang railway station of Xingguo-Quanzhou railway.The 10,700-km China-Europe freight train route links Quanzhou, an important starting point on the Maritime Silk Road, with the Russian capital, boosting the development of foreign trade in regions along the route.（By Xinhua News Agency）

Guizhou sees busy China-Europe freight train service

The number of China-Europe freight trains in Guizhou has changed from two temporary trains per month to one scheduled block train per week since its operation on Nov. 18, 2021. More and more goods which made in Guizhou are?transported to the world through China-Europe?freight?train. Up to now, China-Europe freight trains(Guizhou) has dispatched a total of 2,114 containers and more than 35,000 tons of goods.

Sichuan's first vehicle export train arrives in Russia after the Spring Festival

On February 6, in Vorotensk, Russia, a train full of "Made in Sichuan" cars arrived smoothly. The train departed from Chengdu International Railway Port on January 24, and it is the first special train for the export of vehicles in Sichuan?after?the Spring Festival.The train loaded with 200 vehicles, with a value of over ten million yuan. After departing from Qingbaijiang, Chengdu, it left?Khorgos rail Port in Xinjiang, and then arrived in Russia via Kazakhstan. It is worth noting that this train trial carried out double-deck car container transportation, and one 40-foot container loaded 4 cars, which effectively improved the transportation efficiency.

Inner Mongolia launches the first agricultural product "Railway Express"?freight?train

A few days ago, under the supervision of Jining Customs affiliated to Hohhot Customs, Inner Mongolia's first agricultural product "Railway Express"?freight?train departed from Qisumu Railway International Logistics Park in Ulanqab City. The train is loaded with 55 TEUs, fully loaded with local sunflower seeds, and will depart from the Erenhot railway port to Koresovo, Russia. This is the first time that Ulanqab has exported agricultural products through the "Railway Express" mode.

Under the "Railway Express" mode, the customs will review, release, and write off the electronic data of the railway manifest to realize the supervision of the transit and transportation of imported and exported goods carried by railway trains. Operators will not need to declare separately and handle customs transit procedures. Using the "Railway Express" mode of customs clearance can save 24 hours than before, shorten the overall running time by 1-2 days, and save more than 200 yuan per container.