Non-vessel-operating common carrier Euroconsol has launched a direct less-than-container-load and full-container-load import rail service from Chengdu, China to Pruszkow, Poland.

According to Euroconsol, the new service is in collaboration with iCargo Alliance and Eurasia International Group. On-carriage is offered from the Pruszkow hub to Hamburg and Rotterdam with a transit time of two days. Additional on-forwarding to Prague, Vienna, Helsinki and Budapest will become available in the near future. An eastbound service from Poland to Chengdu will also begin in September 2017.

“This Silk Road rail service is an exciting transportation development that is efficient and fast for shipments between China and Europe,” said Maciej Mazurkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Euroconsol. “Chengdu is located in southwestern Sichuan province, an ideal hub location for China-Europe shipments. We anticipate this service growing in popularity due to the speed with which it reaches European markets. In addition, it bypasses the congestion at some European port locations.”

The rail network is managed by Chengdu International Railway Service Co. Ltd., according to Euroconsol.