China Railway Express has launched its first exclusive train for oranges on the New Silk Road. The service runs between Yichang in central China and Moscow in 16 days.

The oranges of Yichang are a product high in demand, according to Xinhua News, which reported the new railway service. Especially countries on the New Silk Road are eager to see the oranges imported. The traditional mode of transport – by truck- is facing challenges, leading to a shift to rail.

Reduced delivery time

“Compared with rail transport, the previous road deliveries were often delayed by poor weather, traffic congestion and the rising costs of vehicles during the peak season”, said Guo Shiming who works with the Yichang Xiaoxi Citrus Cooperative. The new railway service will enable the delivery time to be reduced by one-third to half of the previous time.

According to the media report, the train uses international standardised cold-chain containers, GPS service and remote control of humidity and temperature to ensure the fresh delivery of citruses. “The railway sector will continue to upgrade its transport service to cope with increasing orders”, Wang Yimin who works with the Yichang section of China Railway Wuhan Group Co., Ltd was quoted.