China Launches New Freight Train Service to Europe

China has launched a new line for an international freight train journey between the city of Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province in northwest China, and the coastal city of Poti in Georgia. This represents the establishment of the 18th main line operated by the freight train service between China and Europe (Xi’an).

A train carrying 55 containers loaded with exported goods such as cars and large machinery left the city of Xi’an the day before yesterday.

According to the Chinese agency “Xinhua”, after leaving China, the individual will pass through the port of Khorgos in the autonomous region of Xinjiang Uygur before crossing Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on their way to Baku.

The entire route relies on multimodal rail-maritime transportation, spanning a distance of 7829 kilometers, with a transport duration of approximately 15 days.

In 2023, Xi’an handled 5351 freight train trips between China and Europe, representing a 15.3% annual increase.

Since the launch of the freight train service in 2013, Xi’an has handled more than 21,400 trains and expanded its destinations to 45 countries and regions in Eurasia, according to the Xi’an International Port, the service operator.