TRIESTE – The Ziegler logistics group has announced the launch of a new express rail freight service between China and Europe.
Departing from X’ian and Chongqing and arriving in Duisburg after 16 days, the trains will then reach the company’s headquarters and hub in Welkenraedt, Belgium, in just 17–18 days, with final delivery to the rest of Europe and the UK within an additional 48 hours.
According to Ziegler, the service—named “Consol Box”—will offer not only unmatched transit times, superior quality, and comprehensive logistics support, but also a strong focus on sustainability. The arrival of goods in Welkenraedt allows the Group to leverage its extensive branch network and expertise to provide efficient distribution, warehousing, and customs services across Europe.
Ziegler stated that it has further strengthened its network to provide continuous connections from various Asian countries to its China–Europe rail service: from Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar by truck to China, and then by rail to Duisburg in 30 days; from South Korea by sea to Qingdao, then by truck to X’ian, and by rail to Germany in 32 days; and from Japan with two options—either by air, or by sea followed by road transport to the Chinese rail terminal in X’ian.
Key features of the service also include an online GPS tracking system, flexible shipping options including Less than Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL), and extensive European coverage (including the UK, France, and Germany).
The freight rail connection from Chongqing to Duisburg was launched in March 2011, establishing a direct overland trade corridor between China and Europe. Over the past 13 years, it has delivered significant benefits to the populations along its routes, improving logistics and connectivity across the Eurasian continent, and promoting high-level opening of China’s inland regions. The rail link from X’ian to Duisburg reached a milestone on December 3, with the arrival of the 100,000th freight train in Germany. To date, the service has transported over 11 million containers worth more than USD 420 billion, according to China State Railway Group Co. Ltd. (China Railway).
“Since 2016, the number of annual rail operations has grown from 1,702 to over 17,000, with continuous improvements in transit times,” said Tian Zhongyu, General Manager of China Railway Container Transport Co. Europe Subsidiary. He also pointed out that “the time needed to complete 10,000 trains has decreased from 90 months to just six.” “At the same time,” Tian Zhongyu added at the arrival ceremony of the 100,000th train in Germany, “the port of Duisburg has attracted over 100 logistics companies and created more than 20,000 jobs, helping to boost the economic development of regions along the route.”
On the same occasion, Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport, which owns a stake in the Trieste Interport), the company that manages the Duisburg terminal, said that “the rail service is strengthening ties between Europe and China and opening up a new international transport market to the benefit of both economies.”
