A China-Europe freight train departed from Beijing on Monday, marking the inauguration of the capital’s first cross-Caspian Sea multimodal cargo route. This development signals a major advancement in Beijing’s international logistics capabilities.
The train is transporting 104 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), carrying more than 2,300 tonnes of export goods including automotive parts, machinery, and books. Its destination is Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The journey follows a rail-sea-rail multimodal transport model spanning over 8,000 kilometers, slashing delivery times from around 50 days to just 15.
The train departed from Fangshan District in southwest Beijing and exits China through Horgos Port in Xinjiang. It then proceeds through Kazakhstan, crosses the Caspian Sea by ferry, and resumes by rail to reach Baku. Portions of the shipment are expected to be further delivered to countries such as Georgia, Türkiye, and Serbia.
Lu Peng, director of the Fangshan District commerce bureau, stated that this route’s launch represents a key move in expanding the range of China-Europe freight corridors originating from Beijing. It enhances the city’s ability to build an integrated international logistics system by blending direct overland and rail-sea transport options.
Related Posts
China-Europe freight trains on full timetables mark 1000 trips
