DUISPORT celebrated the arrival of the first trans-Eurasian freight train to reach its facility in western Germany that had followed a fixed timetable on November 7. The train from Xi’an, China, completed the 9908km journey in just 10 days.
The 50-wagon train, which was carrying photovoltaic inverters, electric compressors, vacuum cleaners and other goods, left Xi’an on October 26, arriving in Duisport at 15.55 on November 7, completing the journey in 235h 26min.
The regular journey time is 14 days, with no firm timetable for the service and times of arrival based on the situation in each country through which the train is transiting. While China Europe Express freight trains are prioritised over other freight services in China, and over regional services at the border with Kazakhstan, Duisport says this is the first time that a trans-Eurasian rail freight service has been prioritised to follow a dedicated timetable along the entire route.
Duisport has named the new service “rail connection 2.0.” It says that numerous strong partners have made this journey possible, helping to create new perspectives for logistics, and is optimistic about growing this type of service in the future.
“Every improvement in the trade routes between Asia and Europe strengthens the position of the Port of Duisburg as a central hub for rail freight traffic in the European hinterland,” says Duisport board member, Dr Carsten Hinne, during the official welcome reception of the train at the DIT terminal. “China traffic via the New Silk Road remains an important part of the diverse business model of the Port of Duisburg.”
