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

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

国家发展改革委7月28日专题新闻发布会介绍中欧班列发展成效：重箱率连续46个月保持100%，回程与去程开行比例接近1:1；开行规模从2016年1702列增至2025年20022列，年均增速超30%，累计开行突破13万列，货值超5200亿美元。国铁集团货运部主任吴兆新表示，班列最大编组由50辆增至55辆，装载质量由2500吨提升至3000吨，全程时刻表班列年开行超1000列，运行时间压缩30%以上。境外17国布局131个还箱堆场。

浙江省发展改革委二级巡视员叶建军称浙江班列进出口货物品类超5万种。云南省发展改革委副主任连利军表示中老铁路货运量连续三年倍增。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰作为出口导向型经济体，乳肉果蔬等大宗商品多经海运出口。中欧班列十年间累计开行超13万列，货值逾5200亿美元，运行线路增至96条，通达欧洲26国236城，重箱率连续46个月100%，回程去程比例趋于均衡。对于NZ SME，这一陆路通道隐含着供应链重构机会。

一方面，进口欧洲高端设备、奢侈品等，可借道中国铁路实现海铁联运，较纯海运缩短约一半时间，比空运节省成本；另一方面，新西兰乳制品、葡萄酒等若开拓中亚、东欧市场，可经上海、宁波等枢纽转运，借助班列直达。班列已覆盖53大门类5万品种，冷链服务逐步完善。当前红海局势反复，海运时效与成本波动大，中欧班列稳定性和全程时刻表优势凸显。

不过，企业需审慎评估全程运费、转运衔接及冷链可行性，中老铁路三年货运量倍增的东南亚走廊也值得关注。境外17国131个还箱堆场及电子施封锁技术，为高价值货物提供安全保障。新西兰冷链物流企业可探索接入该网络，在亚欧消费升级中抢占先机。

关键词: 中欧班列, 重箱率, 开行规模, 累计开行, 货值, 全程时刻表, 一带一路, 国家发展改革委

Source: China.org.cn