URUMQI, China — A new international round-trip freight train service connecting China's Xinjiang region to Duisburg, Germany officially launched this week, marking a significant expansion of trade routes along the Silk Road Economic Belt.
The inaugural train departed from Urumqi's Bayangang dedicated railway station at noon on May 28, carrying 41 freight cars loaded with PVC chemical materials, tomato paste, and food additives produced by local Xinjiang companies. The shipment is expected to complete its 8,000-kilometer journey in just 8-10 days — approximately 30 days faster than traditional sea transport.
This new logistics channel establishes a cost-effective and competitive trade route between western China and Europe. The service will operate on an efficient "loaded both ways" model, with the train scheduled to return to Urumqi around June 16 carrying European consumer goods, household products, and electromechanical equipment.
The launch coincides with the establishment of a national China-Europe freight train platform alliance in Xinjiang, which is optimizing regional transportation networks. Domestic cargo can now be consolidated and rebranded in Xinjiang before international shipment.
Xinjiang's rapidly developing international land port is facilitating a strategic economic shift for the region — transforming from a simple transit corridor into a comprehensive logistics hub. This evolution positions Xinjiang as a crucial transportation and trade center along the Silk Road Economic Belt, creating new opportunities to access broader European markets.
Authorities say the new freight service will significantly enhance international cargo transport efficiency while strengthening Xinjiang's role in global economic exchanges. The initiative supports China's broader Belt and Road infrastructure development strategy aimed at boosting connectivity between Asia and Europe.
