NDRC Briefing Highlights China-Europe Railway Express Achievements

Summary

At a press conference on July 28, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) reported that the China-Europe Railway Express has maintained a 100% container loading rate for 46 consecutive months, with the ratio of return trips to outbound trips approaching 1:1. Services have grown from 1,702 in 2016 to 20,022 in 2025, an average annual increase of over 30%. Cumulative trips have exceeded 130,000, with cargo value surpassing US$520 billion.

Wu Zhaoxin, director of freight operations at China State Railway Group, said the maximum train formation has been increased from 50 to 55 wagons, and loading capacity from 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes. Full-timetable services now run over 1,000 trips annually, with transit times reduced by more than 30%. There are 131 container return depots in 17 countries.

Ye Jianjun, second-level inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission, said the express service from Zhejiang now carries over 50,000 product categories. Lian Lijun, deputy director of the Yunnan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, noted that freight volume on the China-Laos Railway has tripled for three consecutive years.

Commentary

For New Zealand, an export-oriented economy that relies heavily on sea freight for commodities like dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables, the China-Europe Railway Express offers an alternative land corridor. The service has completed over 130,000 trips, carrying goods worth more than US$520 billion, with 96 routes reaching 236 cities in 26 European countries. A 100% container loading rate for 46 months and balanced return-to-outbound ratio underscore operational efficiency.

For NZ SMEs, this presents supply chain restructuring opportunities: importing high-end European equipment and luxury goods via China’s rail network, combined with sea-rail intermodal transport, can cut transit time by roughly half compared with pure sea freight and reduce costs versus air cargo. Conversely, NZ dairy, wine and other products destined for Central Asia or Eastern Europe can be transshipped through hubs like Shanghai and Ningbo then delivered directly by express train. The service now covers 53 major categories and 50,000 product lines, with cold chain capability gradually improving.

Given ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea and volatility in sea freight timeliness and costs, the stability and full-timetable services of the China-Europe Railway Express have become more advantageous. However, businesses need to carefully assess total freight costs, transshipment connectivity and cold chain feasibility. The China-Laos Railway, with freight volume tripling in three years, also merits attention for the Southeast Asia corridor.

The 131 container depots in 17 countries and electronic security lock technology provide safety for high-value goods. NZ cold-chain logistics firms could explore connecting to this network, gaining an early advantage in the consumption upgrade across Asia and Europe.

Keywords: China-Europe Railway Express, container loading rate, number of services, cumulative trips, cargo value, full-timetable services, Belt and Road, National Development and Reform Commission

Source: China.org.cn