The China-Europe freight train service, a cornerstone of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has solidified its position as a high-efficiency logistics brand, radically transforming trans-Eurasian trade by cutting transit times and fostering robust regional economic development. Dubbed the modern “steel camel caravans,” the rail network now connects vast swaths of the continent, boosting hub economies and providing a vital land link for high-value goods between Asia and Europe. This operational evolution, recently highlighted at the second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum in Xi’an, signifies a major shift in global supply chains, offering a compelling alternative to traditional maritime routes.
The original concept of transcontinental exchange dates back over 2,000 years to the ancient Silk Road, initiated by Chinese envoy Zhang Qian’s journey from Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an). Today’s freight train service embodies this legacy, expanding its operational footprint to 232 cities across 26 European nations and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. Since its inception, the service has completed nearly 120,000 journeys, underlining its growing scale and influence in international logistics.
Achieving Unprecedented Efficiency
A key focus of the recent forum was the significant enhancement of efficiency through standardized, fixed-schedule rail services. A new fixed-timetable route from Xi’an to Prague, Czech Republic, for instance, dramatically reduced the journey time for goods like auto parts and household appliances from 18 days to just 11 days and four hours—a precise 39% reduction.
Industry experts underscore the appeal of this speed. Martin Koubek, director of Silk Road & CIS at METRANS, an intermodal logistics provider, noted the advantage lies in the “very short transit time and highly precise schedule throughout the entire route.”
The forum saw the announcement of over 100 cooperation outcomes, including seven new fully timetabled routes expected to achieve an average travel time reduction exceeding 30%. This heightened reliability makes the rail service an optimal choice for time-sensitive, high-value cargo, such as photovoltaic panels and specialized marine diesel engine parts.
China State Railway Group Chairman Guo Zhuxue attributed the program’s success to streamlined international cooperation and optimized operational processes, which have helped balance freight volumes and resulted in a reduction of rail rates by over 40 percent since the service began. This efficiency “expands international logistics capacity, offering diversified transport options and reducing reliance on maritime routes,” according to Nguyen Chinh Nam, deputy general director of Vietnam Railways Corporation.
From Logistics Conduit to Economic Engine
Beyond simple transportation, the China-Europe freight trains are functioning as a catalyst for economic growth, transforming interior regions into key transportation and manufacturing hubs. The service facilitates the global expansion of companies, particularly those located inland, while integrating regional smart manufacturing, modern agriculture, and high-end equipment industries across Eurasia.
The impact is vividly illustrated by corporate adoption. Chinese home appliance giant Konka established a smart appliance industrial park near the Xi’an international port station to capitalize on the rail link. Yuan Gen, vice general manager of Shaanxi Konka Smart Home Appliance Co., Ltd., reported that the rail service has replaced sea shipping for over 60% of their exports, slashing the transit time from 45 days to just one or two weeks.
Furthermore, the rail service is reshaping urban development. The Turkish city of Kars, once primarily a gateway for inbound freight trains, is evolving into a significant logistics and transit hub. Mayor Ötüken Senger emphasized that regional logistics centers are transitioning from mere transfer points to “strategic nodes in a global ecosystem that integrates smart supply chains, sustainable transport and digital innovation.”
The sustained growth and efficiency improvements of the China-Europe freight trains signal a significant architectural change in global supply chain management, offering tangible economic benefits and strategic transport diversity across the Eurasian continent.