Kerry Logistics Network Limited has expanded its overland transportation network in South Asia with the launch of a rail and road multimodal freight service from Lanzhou to Islamabad.

According to Kerry, the new service will help deepen trade cooperation along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The service is operated by Kerry’s member company Lanzhou Pacific Logistics Corporation Limited, which specializes in intermodal brokerage services across China and Central Asia.

“As we continue to expand our capabilities and implement our development blueprint of capturing the opportunities along the Belt and Road trade route, we are thrilled to launch this new service that offers a significantly time-saving option to our customers,” said Edwardo Erni, managing director of China and North Asia at Kerry Logistics. “Following the establishment of a new subsidiary in Pakistan in July 2018, this new service will help to better equip us to capitalize on the increasing trade activities between China and Pakistan facilitated by the CPEC.”

The first shipment, which included mechanical equipment, auto parts, commodities and snow-melting agent, departed Lanzhou by block train and travelled 3,300 km to the Kashgar Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Xinjiang. From there, the goods were transferred to trucks for the remaining 1,200 km to Islamabad. The 4,500-km journey reaches altitudes of 5,000 m and was completed in 13 days, 15 days faster than conventional ocean-road freight.

The new multimodal solution will become a regular service in 2019. Kerry already operates an international freight train service between Lanzhou and Kathmandu.

Kerry Logistics introduced cross-border rail and trucking services from China through Kazakhstan to Caucasus and Turkey in June 2018. Through Lanzhou Pacific Logistics, Kerry also offers freight services from multiple regions in China through Kashgar and Sost to Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan.