First container train departs from Europe to Beijing via Georgia

The first train loaded with European goods has departed from Warsaw to Beijing via the New Silk Road route via Georgia. Previously, containers were mainly loaded from Asia to Europe on this route, and the train was loaded in the opposite direction for the first time.

Polish logistics operator PKP Cargo Connect announced that “a freight train has left the Warsaw terminal for China for the first time, transporting goods from Europe, namely Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Latvia.”

PKP Cargo Connect, which is responsible for the service, is cooperating with the Chinese operator Henan Zhongyu International Port Group.

According to the company, “in the near future, three trains will also depart from Warsaw’s Mariwil terminal with Polish shoes, automotive components manufactured in local factories, and Czech beer.”

Rail transportation to China takes eleven to thirteen days, which significantly saves time compared to sea transportation, although the cost may be higher. The main route of this route passes through a terminal located near Terespol, on the Polish-Belarusian border.

For information, in late August, the Ukrainian state-owned Belgorod-Dniester Sea Port signed a memorandum with Batumi International Container Terminals LLC to become the main hub for cargo transportation from China. According to the Ukrainian Railways, despite the war, Ukraine remains a promising country for a diversified connection between Asia and the European Union, which is determined, in particular, by the China-Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Ukraine-Poland route with the Polish-Ukrainian railway border crossings.

Also, in August, the shareholders of the joint venture Middle Corridor Multimodal agreed at an extraordinary general meeting that the joint stock company “China Railway Container Transportation” will join the joint venture. This means that the management of the Trans-Caspian route will be carried out by companies from China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Info: bpn.ge