A China-Europe freight train loaded with auto vehicles and auto parts departs from Dulaying international land-sea logistics hub in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou Province on March 18, 2026, heading for Minsk, Belarus. Photo: VCG

The China-Europe Railway Express handled 5,460 freight trips in the first quarter of this year, a 29 percent year-on-year increase, while cargo volume rose 22 percent year-on-year to reach 546,000 TEUS (20-foot equivalent units). This has injected fresh vitality into China-EU trade and economic cooperation, as well as social development in countries along the routes, according to data released by China State Railway Group Co on Thursday.

The China-Europe Railway Express reaches 235 cities in 26 European countries, with its coverage essentially spanning the entire Eurasian continent, the company said.

In the first quarter, 93 scheduled China-Europe Railway Express routes operated domestically. The company has also actively expanded diversified overseas channels, strengthening shipments, and tested a Baltic Sea route via St. Petersburg, Russia, offering customers with a range of cross-border logistics options, according to the company.

In close cooperation with customs authorities, the company has optimized the digital port system, continuously enhancing the efficiency of railway port customs clearance. Currently, the shortest customs clearance time at border ports has been reduced to within 30 minutes. 

During the first quarter, 22 China-Europe Railway Express freight trains operating under fixed timetables ran weekly, covering nine Chinese cities and six European cities. The total running time for these fixed-timetable trains has been compressed by more than 30 percent compared with regular China-Europe Railway Express freight trains on the same routes, while the average cargo value per container has increased by 41 percent. As a result, these services are highly favored in the international logistics market, according to the company.

Besides, the China-Europe Railway Express also reported steady improvements in service quality, the company said.

Electronic seals have been developed to enable full-process tracking of cargo and alerts for seal breaches. Specialized equipment such as 40-foot container liquid bags, automobile containers, and power lithium battery containers has been promoted to effectively expand the range of cargo types. Overseas container return yards have been expanded to 17 countries, covering the vast majority of overseas hub cities and facilitating container pickup and return for customers.

Global Times