In a significant development for China's growing traditional medicine industry, the Nanning Railway Bureau inaugurated its first specialized freight train service for herbal medicines on November 18. This pioneering move marks a major step forward for Guangxi's traditional medicine transportation sector.
The 10-carriage train , loaded with 202 tons of medicinal herbs , departed from Yulin Station in Guangxi with Chengdu's Qingbaijiang Station in Sichuan as its final destination. The service promises delivery within 72 hours —a significant improvement over conventional transport methods that better meets the market's urgent demand for rapid herbal medicine distribution.
Yulin, recognized as a national hub for traditional Chinese medicine distribution, ships approximately 260,000 tons of medicinal herbs annually to meet demand across the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone and southwestern regions. Since Nanning Railway Bureau began handling herbal medicine transport in 2014, rail shipments have exceeded 10,000 tons , attracting considerable client interest.
Market research revealed that while companies like Neijiang Lianghui Pharmaceutical transport about 800 tons monthly from Yulin, rail accounts for only a small portion. This prompted the railway bureau to conduct in-depth analysis of transportation patterns to better serve client needs.
Addressing critical concerns about delivery speed and cost , the bureau developed a tailored solution: the Herbal Medicine Priority Train service. Under this program, clients shipping 10 carloads or more can access dedicated trains guaranteeing 72-hour delivery—a policy that has ignited strong interest among pharmaceutical companies seeking faster, more efficient distribution.
The new service not only improves efficiency but also offers cost advantages . Traditional transport methods often struggle with the complex requirements of time-sensitive herbal medicine shipments. The priority trains address both timeliness and affordability concerns, creating significant savings for clients.
Client response has been overwhelmingly positive, with some already routing international shipments from Russia and Germany via rail. The combination of convenience and economy is making rail transport the preferred choice, with many companies expressing optimism about future rail services under Nanning Railway Bureau's support.
This innovative freight service represents more than just a logistics breakthrough—it's a strategic move supporting the traditional medicine market's expansion. By providing efficient, reliable transport , the service enhances operational efficiency across the industry. As the program expands, more herbal medicine businesses stand to benefit from rail transport's convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Looking ahead, Nanning Railway Bureau plans continued innovation in specialized, standardized herbal medicine transport, contributing expertise to support national industry growth. This inaugural priority train marks a milestone for the sector, signaling broad potential for future development in medicinal transport services.
