New services extend the operational reach of the China-Europe Railway Express (CRE) through multimodal routes and diversified cargo options.
Mixed lithium battery cargo from Yiwu heads to Kazakhstan
On June 17, a CRE train departed from Yiwu, Zhejiang province, transporting a combination of consumer lithium batteries and daily goods in the same container. This is the first time a CRE train from the Yangtze River Delta region has moved such a mixed load using shared container space. The destination of the train is Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The shipment introduces a new approach to container utilization on the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe route, which is part of the broader China-Europe rail freight network.
First cross-Caspian freight train from Jinhua to Baku
On June 18, the first freight train operating on the Cross-Caspian International Transport Corridor departed from Jinhuanan Railway Station in Zhejiang province. The train was fully loaded with 100 TEUs of daily goods, apparel, and hardware accessories.
After customs clearance in Jinhua, the train exited China via the Khorgos border and proceeded through Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan). The cargo will continue from the Turkmen port of Bashi, where it will be shipped across the Caspian Sea to Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Cross-Caspian route combines rail and maritime transport, providing an alternative option for cargo movement between China, Central Asia, and Europe through the Middle Corridor. The service extends the operational flexibility of China Railways' CRE network beyond traditional overland corridors.
E-commerce express train from Guangzhou to Italy launched
Also on June 18, a new CRE freight service for e-commerce cargo departed from the Guangzhou East Multimodal Hub (Zengchengxi Railway Station) in Guangdong province. The train is carrying e-commerce products manufactured in the Chinese Greater Bay Area, including apparel, small appliances, and kitchenware.
The train exits China via the Khorgos border and is scheduled to reach Italy within 13 days. This is the first dedicated CRE e-commerce express train from Guangzhou to Europe.
The Guangzhou e-commerce express focuses on time-sensitive, small-batch shipments with shorter transit times compared to sea freight and lower costs compared to air transport. The service is positioned to serve the growing demands of cross-border e-commerce traffic between China and Europe.
