KTZ Express (KTZE) Hong Kong, a provider of rail freight
services connecting Central Asia to global markets, plans to commence new block
train services from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Xian in China to Europe via
Kazakhstan.
Scheduled for launch over the next 12 months, the company
is currently holding talks with municipal government officials and freight
forwarders in these four cities in China.
The proposal to offer the new rail freight services comes
as the New Silk Way initiative launched by the governments of China and
Kazakhstan is gaining momentum with shippers and freight forwarders attracted
by the 16-day transit time to major cities in Europe.
There is also growing demand from Europe for dedicated
block train services to Asia for products as diverse as fruit to auto parts.
The rail freight company is taking delivery of 200 new
45-foot reefer boxes to meet demand from shippers for products such as
pharmaceuticals, farm produce and computer hardware, which require temperature
control.
"We have had a very positive response from freight
forwarders across China who are looking for a fast, efficient and cost
effective service direct to their European customers," president, global
logistics, Henrik Christensen, told delegates at the JOC Group's TPM Asia
conference in Shenzhen.
"Shippers of high value products such as
electronics, automotive parts, computers, fashion and lifestyle products and fresh
produce are actively looking at using rail freight from China to Europe, as a
result of longer ocean transit times," he added.
A key platform in the development of the rail freight
service is the new inland container port under construction at Khorgos on the
China-Kazakhstan border.
The inland port aims to act as a regional distribution
centre for the growing trade between China, South East Asia and Kazakhstan,
Central Asia, Russia and the Caucasus.
Khorgos East Gate is a special economic zone with customs
bonded area.
Source : HKSG.
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