The first freight train from China arrived at Rotterdam’s Rail Service Center on July 23. The train, carrying 80 containers, departed from Kumming, Yunnan Province, on July 5. The train travelled via Kumming, China; Zabaykalsk on the China-Russia border; and Brest and Malaszewicze on the Belarus-Poland border. When it reached Malaszewicze, Poland, the units destined for Rotterdam were loaded onto wagons built for a European-track gauge.

The train’s shuttle operator was the company Cargosped and PKP Cargo, the largest Polish rail transport company, piloted the train throughout Europe. Rotterdam Rail Feeding (RRF) piloted the train inside the Rail Service Center in Rotterdam. Cargosped has since indicated that this is not a one-off; a number of trains will also be coming to the Rail Service Center in August and September.

A representative of the Rotterdam Port Authority noted in a statement that China has set up a Silk Road Fund which has US$40 billion at its disposal to invest in infrastructure along the new silk road. “Rotterdam is glad that the Chinese trains are now also arriving in Rotterdam,” the statement said. “This new silk road is significant for the further development of Rotterdam as a European logistical hub for all kinds of modalities and for the Rotterdam rail product in particular. Rotterdam is expressly investing in the improvement of rail transport to and from the port of Rotterdam. Equally, with regard to transport to and from England this could mean extra cargo.”

Asia Cargo News