Macron and Von der Leyen in China: EU de-risking, Ukraine and trade
ANALYSISThe much-discussed visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission head Ursula Von der Leyen in China is unfolding. By meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two European leaders aim to push for...Read more
New cargo types on the Silk Road: how are companies adapting?
InterviewRail freight volumes on the New Silk Road significantly declined in 2022. However, volumes for specific cargo types, including chemicals and pharmaceuticals, have actually increased. How are companies adapting to these new trends? RailFreight.com had...Read more
Sixth consolidation hub in China, closer to Russian border
China has launched a sixth consolidation hub for trains to Europe and Russia: the city of Shenyang in the east of China, conveniently located near the border with Russia. The first train from the new...Read more
China-Europe trains in 2022: east-west imbalance and drops in volume
It has become an indisputable fact that the freight volume of railway operations between China and Europe has plummeted in 2022, but how steep was the decline? A look at the recent data of UTLC...Read more
‘What do European companies need to return to the Silk Road?’
VIDEOThe New Silk Road is still growing, despite a slowdown due to the war in Ukraine. There are strong trends regarding new commodities and traffic between China and Russia is on the rise. However, European...Read more
Can Chinese industrial investments in Europe shift the Silk Road landscape?
In early September, the Chinese battery manufacturer company CATL sealed the building and development of its own factory in Debrecen, Hungary. CATL’s investment project is worth 7,34 billion euros. Apart from strengthening ties with the...Read moreChina’s BRI takes over the world: is Europe ready to respond?
ANALYSISChina seems to be overtaking Europe in global infrastructure investments, with EU leaders alarmed about the possible consequences. How does China benefit from expanding the Silk Road to other continents, and what could be Europe’s...Read more
China-Europe express: St. Petersburg, the new hot transit hub
A new China-Europe connection commenced on 1 January, linking Xi’an in China with Mannheim in Germany. The direct train connection between the two destinations is unique because none of the traditional New Silk Road routes...Read morePostive cases of COVID-19 in Alashankou, trains still running
On 15 August, three persons were tested positive with COVID-19 in Alashankou, the Chinese side of the main border crossing with Kazakhstan. Cases of infection are alerting news in China and in some cases treated...Read more
Steady growth on the New Silk Road while prices remain stable
Also this year, traffic on the New Silk Road rises despite all the challenges facing the global supply chain. In the first half of this year, 7,323 trains moved between China and Europe, according to...Read more
Direct Hefei-Wilhelmshaven train completes its first Eurasian trip
The first train from Hefei, Anhui Province in China, arrived at Wilhelmshaven, the only deep-water port in Germany, on 13 July. The train carried 100 TEUs of goods, of which more than 60% were local...Read more
Is the New Silk Road viable as we know it?
The origins of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) date back to 2013. The project started with the intention to connect 71 countries from Asia, Europe and Africa through investments, trade, and multilateral or bilateral...Read more