[081119.EN.BIZ] DHL Launches Fastest Rail Freight Service Between China and Germany

DHL Global Forwarding and Xian International Inland Port Investment & Development Group have launched the fastest rail service from Xian to Hamburg, cutting transit time from 17 to between 10 and 12 days.

"Xian is at the heart of the New Silk Road economic belt, taking on the same important role as it once did during the ancient route of Marco Polo's era," said DHL Global Forwarding China chief Steve Huang.

With trade between the two regions averaging EUR1 billion (US$1.1 billion) a day and slated to grow, China remains the European Union's second biggest trading partner, accounting for the region's biggest source of imports and its second-biggest source of exports.

Equally, special economic zones in Greater Xian are attracting growing foreign investments as the city positions itself as a hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G infrastructure and cloud computing to enhance its manufacturing capabilities.

Xian is home to over 100 enterprises specialising in AI, bringing in a total revenue of CNY10 billion (US$1.4 billion), while global and local companies have agreed to invest CNY214 billion in the city's digital development.

Said Xian International Inland Port Investment & Development Group general manager Qu Jinwei: "Over the past four months, we have been working closely with DHL to test and start this express line.

"We will strive to make this express rail freight a success. Using the development model of 'hub and industry integration', we will leverage this service to strengthen the collaboration between the region's manufacturing and trading sectors with international logistics," said Mr Qu.

The new rail service takes an approximate 9,400-kilomtrem route through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania to Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, before entering the European Union via the Mamonovo-Braniewo crossing.

The final stretch of the route crosses Poland into Hamburg, and to Neuss, an important logistics hub on the Rhine River across Dusseldorf.

Source : HKSG / Photo : Business Insider Malaysia.