GERMAN Rail (DB) has established DB Cargo Transasia, a new subsidiary designed to strengthen DB’s presence in China, which will have its headquarters in Shanghai.

Demand is booming on the New Silk Road connecting Europe and China says DB. The link between the New Silk Road and DB Cargo's European network means there are currently direct train connections to 18 European countries.

The new subsidiary has created a single source for the 10,000km supply chain serving the China - Europe networks DB said.

In 2020 China was Germany’s most important trading partner - the fifth time in a row. Industry estimates suggest that more than 12,000 trains travelled on the Eurasian corridor last year. DB says that recent growth rates suggest there are an extra 3000 trains per year. DB says it wants to increase the number of containers it transports on the route from 200,000 to 500,000 by 2025. The most recent route to open was the Shanghai - Hamburg connection which began operating at the end of September.

From December 1, Ms Tabea Klang joins DB Cargo Eurasia as managing director for sales. She was previously executive assistant to the member of the DB management board for freight transport/chair of the management board for DB. Klang will work alongside Mr Andreas Lübs who joined DB Cargo Eurasia in 2018 and is now CEO of the new subsidiary.