The construction of Suining's logistics port project is gaining momentum, combining rail freight with e-commerce logistics to inject new vitality into the market. Companies such as Western Logistics Park and Shunyi Tong Logistics are actively expanding their businesses, utilizing technology and service innovations to enhance logistics value and promote regional economic development.
The China-Europe Railway Express has rapidly developed over the past decade, becoming a vital logistics corridor connecting Asia and Europe. It not only addresses today's geopolitical crises, providing stable support for international trade, but also fuels economic development in the countries along the route. As an essential component of the Belt and Road Initiative, the railway promotes regional connectivity and fosters cooperation and prosperity among nations.
Zhongtian Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. has recently transitioned from waterway to railway transportation, successfully dispatching 42 freight cars to Ningbo. The new pricing policy by China Railway Corporation, which charges based on actual weight, has provided significant logistics cost advantages for the company. The Nanjing Freight Center has offered customized solutions, reducing overall expenses. The high timeliness and stability of railway transport have led Zhongtian Steel to shift more cargo to rail, which is expected to enhance its overall logistics management efficiency.
China Railway Group has partnered with China Construction Bank to launch a pilot program for railway logistics financial services. The initiative introduces three financial products: 'Railway Freight Loan', 'Letter of Credit Settlement', and 'Railway Document Financing', aimed at reducing logistics costs and supporting the development of the real economy. The pilot will cover regions including Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hubei, benefiting various market participants.
China's modern railway logistics system is rapidly advancing to reduce overall logistics costs and support the development of the real economy. With the 'Single Document' model of the Iron-Sea Express, companies can simplify logistics connections and increase transportation efficiency by 40%. To date, 165 railway logistics bases have been established, with 340 direct express freight routes in operation and 186 logistics bundle projects underway. Future efforts will focus on enhancing key regional infrastructures to improve competitive transport markets and promote high-quality economic growth.
The first cold chain transport train in the Yangtze River Delta commenced operations on July 18, 2023, focusing on fresh products like frozen meat. The travel time has been reduced to 38 hours, with costs lowered by 20%. This train will run on a regular weekly schedule and plans to expand to multiple cities nationwide, promoting the development of a cold chain railway transportation network.
As of August this year, the China-Europe Railway Express has operated a total of 10,000 trains, promoting efficient and convenient international trade. Various digitalization and infrastructure upgrade measures have significantly improved transportation quality, supporting the efficient connection of global goods transport and establishing a benchmark in the logistics sector.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in railway freight reform, particularly with innovations in express transportation models. New fast freight trains not only enhance transportation speed and service quality but also reduce logistics costs, driving regional economic development. The railway corporation is committed to building modern logistics enterprises, fully leveraging the green advantages of railway transport, and continuously adapting to market demands to promote supply-side reform. This series of reform measures will bring new development opportunities to the railway freight industry in the future.
The Yangtze River Delta railway has improved logistics efficiency by integrating existing freight centers, contributing to high-quality economic development. The application of new transportation models and equipment has optimized diverse transportation products. This series of reforms marks a further transformation of railway logistics into the modern service industry.
In 2020, the China-Europe Railway Express 'Chang'an Hao' operated 3,720 trains, with a total cargo weight of 2.811 million tons, becoming the top performer in national core indicators. Its extensive reach covers Central Asia and South Asia, enhancing global logistics efficiency through an innovative sea-rail combined transport system. This development has also facilitated industrial agglomeration and foreign trade growth in the Xi'an region.
