Ukraine has just welcomed another new container train service from China. This time, it connects one of the most important Chinese hubs, Xi’an, with the capital of Ukraine. It is yet another proof of the growing interest in Ukraine as a destination for cargo from China and other Asian countries. 

The first direct container train from Xi’an arrived in Kiev on Wednesday 12 August, after it covered a distance of more than 9,000km in 20 days. It carried medication, shoes and clothes, which will be delivered in different regions of Ukraine. An eastbound service is also in the planning. This was reported by Xinhua news.

Gaining ground

Ukraine has been gradually gaining ground on the New Silk Road, especially as a gateway to Eastern and Central Europe. More recently, deliveries with Ukraine as an end destinations started, to the enthousiasm of Ukrainian officials, as it marks a major step forward in its relation with China.

In July this year, the first regular railway service from China to Ukraine was established. On 6 July, a container train from Wuhan arrived in Kiev. It was the first of a new regular railway service, which was first tested a month earlier, in June. A weekly train, there has now been six arrivals so far, with deliveries to other corners too. Xinhua news cites Oleksandr Polishchuk of Liski, a branche of Ukrainian Railways, saying: “There are even deliveries to Odessa, where cargo has historically arrived by sea.