Hamburg welcomes 1st China-Europe freight train from Shanghai amid logistics tension

[superadmin]

The first "Shanghai Express," carrying 50 containers loaded with apparel, auto parts and solar panels, traveled more than 10,000 km before arriving in northern Germany.

HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The first fully loaded China-Europe freight train arrived from Shanghai, China's economic hub, in the northern German city of Hamburg on Tuesday, further expanding the rail services between Europe and Asia amid the global logistics disruption.

The first "Shanghai Express," carrying 50 containers loaded with apparel, auto parts and solar panels, traveled more than 10,000 km before arriving in northern Germany late on Monday.

Initially, one train per week will operate, but the service is planned to be extended in the future.

The China-Europe freight trains traveling along 73 routes have reached more than 170 cities in 23 European countries, since it was launched in 2011.

China-Europe freight train trips have gained robust growth momentum since the start of 2021, with the total number surging 32 percent year-on-year to reach 10,030 by the end of August, two months earlier than last year, data from the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. showed.

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[Doslkn]

That's incredible distance for rail freight. I wonder if they'll start similar routes to other European destinations. The logistics for that kind of journey must be really complex with all the different countries involved

[Tnfkdg]

Rail freight is getting more popular for long distances because it's more reliable than some sea routes. Speaking of European freight, I've been dealing with much shorter routes but still complicated logistics. I needed to ship some auto parts to Jersey last month and the island connections are tricky even for short distances. You need companies that understand the ferry schedules and customs requirements. I ended up using a specialist service for freight to Jersey and it worked out well. They handled all the mainland pickup and port transfers without any delays

[angelaspain]

The first China Europe freight train from Shanghai is a big move, especially at a time when global logistics are facing so many problems like delays and high shipping costs. This new rail route gives businesses a faster and more reliable way to move goods between Asia and Europe. It also shows how important it is to have more transport options when usual routes are affected. In such situations, working with a good 3PL logistics service provider really helps. They can guide businesses with route planning, customs, and smooth delivery using different transport methods. As logistics continues to change, smart and flexible 3PL partners are key to keeping things running smoothly.