Freetown is a key port in Sierra Leone, benefiting from its strategic location and facilities, which lay the groundwork for cargo handling and foreign trade development. The port's seven berths and convenient railway connections present excellent opportunities for business collaboration and economic growth, making it an ideal choice for exploring the West African market.
Sapele Port, located at the lower Benin River in Nigeria, serves as a significant barge port with a maximum draft of 4.9 meters. It offers essential water transport services and is equipped with numerous berths and lease boats. The port demonstrates strong development potential and is expected to enhance its position in regional shipping in the future.
Skopje Port is the main transportation hub in Macedonia, located in the northwest part of the country at an altitude of 240 meters. As a crucial node connecting the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea, the port is surrounded by the Vardar River and a network of related roads and railways, which promote regional economic and logistics development.
Recently, a national conference for the China-Europe International Freight Train Alliance was held in Urumqi, announcing the official establishment of the alliance under the Belt and Road Initiative. The aim is to encourage the operational enterprises of the China-Europe Railway Express to settle in Xinjiang, facilitating resource and information sharing and optimizing operational efficiency.
The container congestion issue at the Port of Vancouver is severe. Canadian National Railway (CN) demonstrates strong transportation efficiency, while CPKC faces multiple challenges. Meanwhile, the container throughput at Prince Rupert and Halifax steadily increases, highlighting both the potential and areas for improvement in rail transport. Collaborative efforts across the industry are essential to address these challenges.
The Hamburg Port Authority of Germany has announced multiple railway closures starting from August 2025 due to the renovation of the Finkenwerder Bridge, which will affect major container terminals at Hamburg Port. Additionally, there are plans for closures at northern ports, and shippers should arrange shipments in advance and pay attention to congestion at the ports.
The Port of New Orleans, located in the southern United States, is a commercial port at the downstream of the Mississippi River. With deep-water terminals and an extensive network of shipping routes, it has become a significant export center for grains and various commodities, handling over 160 million tons of cargo annually and connecting to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide.
Ferries are responsible for short-distance transportation between rivers, straits, and islands, classified into ordinary ferries and vehicular ferries. Ordinary ferries include strait and inland river ferries, while vehicular ferries are specifically designed for cars and trains. The design of automobile ferries features propulsion systems at both ends to facilitate docking and transport, with the wheelhouse positioned on one side to save space.
This article delves into the profound impact of China's 'Road-to-Rail' model on modern logistics. By effectively reducing road transport, lowering energy consumption, and minimizing environmental pollution, this model aligns with the national strategy for sustainable development. Furthermore, railway transport offers cost advantages, providing affordable logistics options for businesses and consumers alike, and promoting the continuous development of green logistics.
The Zhengzhou Europe Railway Express successfully completed its first imported grain shipment, marking the successful testing of Zhengzhou's designated port for imported grain. A total of 136 tons of wheat were imported from Kazakhstan, showcasing efficient international logistics capabilities. With more batches of grain set for import, Zhengzhou provides significant support for international trade under the Belt and Road Initiative.
