The China Railway Express (abbreviated as CR Express) rail freight service has come a long way since March 19th, 2011, when the block train “Yu Xin Ou” first departed from Chongqing to Duisburg.
Eight years later, the Belt and Road project is now transitioning from the stage of planning into intensive implementation. It is moving forward on the road of high-quality development - outlining a new landscape for the blooming Silk Road Economic Belt.
As one of the leading global integrated logistics providers and the top rail freight carrier in Europe, DB Schenker has participated in, and witnessed the development of the CR Express over the years, with an annual transport volume of almost 20,000 containers. To date, DB Schenker remains in the leading logistics position.
- The first “Chang’an” CR Express block train from Xi’an to Verona
China-Europe trains, an outcome of the One Belt and Road Initiative, help to eliminate the economic and cultural distance between the two trade partners. The success of the “Chang’an” express will not only open the door for Italy and west China but also improve the west China impact to Europe, while promoting sustainable and bilateral trade growth.
Verona, located in Northern Italy, is a major hub connecting Italy with other parts of Europe through both rail and land transportation. Following the launch of the Verona-Xi’an eastbound train, Italian specialties like garments, building materials and wine now have a faster and cheaper land transport option to reach Chinese customers.
- The first “Qilu” CR Express block train from Yantai to Duisburg
With the availability of this new integrated “Qilu” CR Express, more Shandong cities will be connected to freight train routes covering over 48 destinations. For the majority of exporters in cities along the Belt and Road who prefer the combined sea-rail transport network due to its cost advantages, shipments will be transported to the sea ports and then carried along the “Qilu” route to other countries.