At Booth 520, Hall N2 of the 9th Asian Logistics Biennale 2023 on June 15, Xi'an International Inland Port Investment & Development Group (ITL Group) held a press conference on the operations of China-European freight trains with a full-time schedule.

At the conference, Zhai Ruopeng, Deputy General Manager of ITL Group, delivered a speech on the product launch; Shao Boer, General Manager of Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd., gave a brief introduction to the full-time schedule train operations and released the products of the first import train and the second export train with a full-time schedule; Song Linlin, General Manager of Xi'an International Inland Port Bozheng Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., promoted the Express LCL product; Tabea Klang, Chief Sales Officer of DB Cargo Eurasia GmbH, explained the current overseas operations; and Zhu Keping, Railway Director of DB Schenker Greater China shared client experience.

Zhai Ruopeng, Deputy General Manager of ITL Group

The launch of the full-time schedule trainservice is credited to the market demand, the support and exploration of clients, and the concerted cooperation between China Railway Group Limited and foreign railway companies in the early stage. It marks the first time a China-Europe freight train ran on a full-time schedule throughout the whole journey: the China section, the broad gauge section and the European section. With a more stable transit time, the full-time schedule freight train service can be compared to passenger service on high-speed rail lines.

With the strong support of China Railway International Multimodal Transport Co., Ltd., the first import train and the second export train with a full-time schedule will start running on June 27 and July 1 respectively. The latter will further meet the market needs of clients, optimize the operation efficiency of the first export train, and allow clients to experience the 2.0 version of the full-time schedule train service.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to China Railway International Multimodal Transport Co., Ltd. and the partners who helped launch the second full-time schedule export train, as well as all media friends present today for their long-term attention and support.

Shao Boer, General Manager of Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd.

In order to promote the formation of a stable domestic and overseas transit time of China-Europe freight trains and better meet clients' logistics needs, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. determined to launch the domestic and overseas full-time schedule train service after communication and coordination with the railway authorities of countries along the routes. Xi'an International Port Station was listed as the departure station of full-time schedule trains, and Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. became the first platform company in China to operate domestic and overseas full-time schedule trains.

On October 26, 2022, Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. dispatched China's first domestic and overseas full-time schedule China-Europe freight train. With a stable transit time of 11 days, the service has become a smash hit with the best transit time in the market.

Full-time schedule trains run in strict accordance with the standards of dwell time at border stations, and priority is given to their formation, trailer transport and departure. The move effectively shortens the operation time of all links of the China-Europe freight train service, reduces the invalid dwell time related to reloading at port stations, ensures that the service of each section is completed according to the handover date/time and specified train number, and improves the service quality of China-Europe freight trains in the whole journey and their market competitiveness.

Song Linlin, General Manager of Xi'an International Inland Port Bozheng Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.

Relying on the resources of China Railway Express (Chang'an), Xi'an International Inland Port Bozheng Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. integrates sea and air transport resources and channels to provide diversified comprehensive services. It not only provides LCL transport for micro-, small and medium sized enterprises, but also designs customized supply chain solutions for large manufacturing enterprises and multinational companies.

Since Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. successfully launched the full-time schedule train service on October 26, 2022, we have realized accurate arrival at all stations along the routes. Relying on the full-time schedule train service and the advantage of "customs declaration before container loading" at the LCL Center, we have successfully rolled out the Railway Express LCL product. The train frequency between Xi'an and Duisburg has been increased to two outbound trips and one inbound trip every week. Through in-transit distribution, the service of the trains to Hamburg and Duisburg in Germany can cover France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and other countries.

Tabea Klang, CSO of DB Cargo Eurasia GmbH

DB Cargo has been promoting the development of the Eurasian Corridor to ensure a fast and reliable supply chain network between China and Europe. In this regard, ITL Group shares the same goal with us. Thanks to the railway administrations in China and Europe, including the plans of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., and the support of Deutsche Bahn's top management, DB Cargo and ITL Group have been running full-time schedule trains since October 2022.

Undoubtedly, the full-time schedule train service has been a very successful program in the rail transport market so far, with an average transit time reduced to 11 days. Service quality, transit time, stability and environmentally friendly transport are key factors in the future development of freight transport, and the full-time schedule train service is a very important milestone. DB Cargo, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. and ITL Group, have set the milestone for the future freight development of the Eurasian Corridor. The impact of the global external environment and economic development requires us to rethink how to ensure the stable rail freight transport service along the Eurasian corridor. I think the full-time schedule train service is a brilliant product from the joint efforts of DB Cargo and ITL Group.

Zhu Keping, Railway Director of DB Schenker Greater China

Since the service launch in October last year, DB Schenker has maintained close cooperation with ITL Group from preliminary testing to regular weekly organization of goods shipment. I think it's responsible to say that the full-time schedule trains have performed very well in transit time, with about 11 days on average from Xi'an to Duisburg, even in face of many unfavorable factors such as port congestion and overseas shortage of wagons. The robust performance has been widely recognized among our clients. Some companies have even replaced air transport partially with the full-time schedule train service, which really helps them reduce costs and increase efficiency.

This year, we have made many breakthroughs together with ITL Group. We have successfully tested incubator transport, vehicle transport, and temporary import and export transport on full-time schedule trains. I would like to thank my colleagues at ITL Group for their open and innovative attitude towards the full-time schedule train service. Instead of resting on their laurels, they keep developing and exploring the full-time schedule train service. I believe that we can provide clients with more application scenarios in the future.

Background of the full-time schedule train service

On October 26, 2022, under the leadership and guidance of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. and with the strong support of China Railway Container Transport Corp. Ltd. and China Railway International Multimodal Transport Co., Ltd., China's first domestic and overseas full-time schedule China-Europe freight train departed. The service was jointly provided by railway companies in seven countries including Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd., DB Cargo, and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. After 11 days, the train successfully arrived at the destination station — Duisburg, Germany on November 5, 2022.

This marks the first time a China-Europe freight train ran on full-time schedule throughout the whole journey: the China section, the broad gauge section and the European section, with faster and more stable transit time.

Characteristics of the full-time schedule train service

●Optimal route planning:

Full-time schedule trains shall run in strict accordance with the standards of dwell time at border stations, trains with a fixed train number shall exit at a fixed port, and receiving routes and shunting operation plans shall be reasonably planned.

●Highest priority:

Priority is given to formation, trailer transport and departure for them is organized efficiently to accelerate the circulation, declaration and acceptance of bills. At the same time, coordination and communication with customs border inspection officers are strengthened, and production information is forecast to speed up the efficiency of inspection and customs clearance, in a bid to ensure that the service of each section is completed according to the handover date/ time and specified train number.

● Optimal formation model:

The 41+9 formation model, the optimal one for the tracks of the European section, is adopted to minimize the reloading time at each gauge change.

Transit time of the full-time schedule train service

The train is operated on a regular basis. It departs from Xi'an International Port at 3:55 a.m. every Wednesday to provide customers with stable and efficient express services.

01 According to the transit time data of trains that have arrived at the destination, the average transit time for the whole journey is 12.3 days, including 2.3 days for the domestic section and 10.02 days for the overseas sections.

02 Compared with the ordinary train to Duisburg operated in the same period, the full-time schedule train spends 6.91 days and 8.26 days less on average in the domestic section and in the whole journey respectively.

Support to the full-time schedule train service

In order to ensure the smooth departure and shipment of full-time schedule trains, a special team has been set up to be responsible for the management, and a weekly work schedule of full-time schedule trains has been drawn up. Special personnel are assigned to take charge of all links in the whole process from goods source organization, document review, train entry into stations, customs declaration to whole-journey tracking. We make every effort to ensure the long-term stable operations of full-time schedule trains.

The operations of the train will promote Shaanxi to accelerate the development of export-oriented economy, build a China Railway Express (Xi'an) Assembly Center, further amplify Xi'an's advantages in location, transit time and costs under the Belt and Road Initiative, serve the domestic circulation well, better integrate into the international circulation, and contribute to the construction of a new development pattern with the domestic circulation as the mainstay and the domestic and international markets reinforcing each other.

Grasp the whole situation and explore new roads. In 2023,Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd.will comprehensively develop its automobile logistics business,and actively provide services of automobile logistics to Shaanxi automobile enterprises, such as BYD and Geelythrough various transportation methods such as container transport and JSQ (table trolley) transport.

Launch of the First China Railway Express (Chang'an) for Geely Automobile

On January 28, 2023, the first China Railway Express (Chang'an) train carrying 600Geely autos made in Xi'an departed. The train was heading for Moscow. This project is the first collaboration between China Europe Railway (Chang'an) and Geely, and the successful cooperation of this project is also the result of another practical measure for China Europe Railway (Chang'an) to help the local manufacturing industry in Shaanxi "going global".

The Dedicated Export Train for BYD New Energy Automobiles (JSQ)

On April 21, 2023, a China Railway Express (Chang'an) train carrying 261 BYD new energy automobiles made in Shaanxi departed for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Since August 2022, China Railway Xi’an Group Co., Ltd. has established a coordination and linkage mechanism with Xi'an International Trade and Logistic Park, Xi’an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd., Xi'an Branch of China Railway Special Cargo Logistics Co., Ltd. (CRSCL), and other enterprises and institutions to continuously optimize the import and export cargo operation process. It has successfully shipped the Asia-Europe Land-Sea Trade Corridor for Japan-South Korea Border Crossing for JSQ Automobile and the China Europe Railway (Xi'an Moscow) for Exported JSQ Automobile, and the construction of the corridor is making steady progress.

China Railway Express for Exported Shaanxi Automobile

On September 17, 2020, the first China Railway Express (Chang'an) from Xi'an to Budapest, the "China Railway Express for Exported Shaanxi Automobile", departed from Xi'an. This train carried high-end heavy trucks independently developed by Shaanxi Automobile. Nowadays, with the continuous improvement of intelligence, greenery, and service-oriented level, state-owned enterprises have created new opportunities for the development of China's manufacturing industry in the process of creating new development models. For Shaanxi Automobile Group, the commitment to adhering to the concept of innovation-driven development has also been deeply integrated into the entire enterprise. "China Railway Express for Exported Shaanxi Automobile" of China Railway Express (Chang'an) is also an innovative attempt, which has changed the previous sea transportation mode and marks the first time for automobiles of Shaanxi to take the China Europe Express to "go abroad".

Since Xi’an Port was approved as Designated Port for Imported Automobiles in May 2017, Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. has been actively connecting with automobile manufacturers to develop the automobile logistics market. The company has reached cooperation with Volvo, FAW Audi, BYD, GWM, Geely, JAC, Polestar, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volkswagen and many other brands. A total of 85,240automobiles have been imported and exported via the port, including 43,824exported and 41,416imported. Through unremitting efforts, ITL Group has helped Xi'an Port become the largest automobile import and export port in inland areas of China.

The number and scale of high-end automobile exports made in China are increasing day by day.As the largest inland port in China - the "Xi'an Port"logistics distribution base operator for the import and export of finished vehicles and parts, and the main operator of China Europe Express (Chang'an),Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd.continuously improves the functions of the port of automobiles,and contributes to the development of the automotive industry in China through the China Europe Express (Chang'an).

"Automobile transportation" is one of the business segments of Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd., with rich service experience and mature operation modes. It has a good reputation in the market for flexible, convenient, and safe services.

01 Domestic short-and-long-distance transportation services

02  Services such as warehousing, spot inspection, and packing for the automobiles at the port

03  Railway container and table trolley transportation services

04  Unloading service at the destination station

05  Trailer delivery services throughout Europe

In the future, ITL Group will benchmark itself against the international first-class level, continuously improve the functions of Xi'an Port for automobiles, create a globally influential logistics distribution base for the import and export of automobiles and parts, further drive the import and export trade and logistics linkage of Shaanxi and even China's automobile and related industries, and help the "Made in China" automobile brands go global! T

On April 24, 2023, a delegation from Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd., DAIHATSU, and NX Group visitedITL Group.

Exchange at the symposium

Qu Jinwei, Chairman of ITL Group; Zhai Ruopeng, Deputy General Manager of ITL Group; Hiroyuki Yanagida,Director of Parts Export Division of Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd.; Maekawa Shingo, Chairman of DAIHATSU; andSugiyama Tatsuo, Senior Consultant of NX Group in East Asia, attended the symposium.

At the symposium, ITL Group introduced each of its business segments. ITL Group personnel and the attendees reviewed the cooperation between China Railway Express (Chang'an)and Xi'an Portin automobile transportand import and export of automobiles, and the fruits of joint efforts in the past few years.

The two sides had in-depth discussions and exchanges onthe Japan-South Korea transit transport mode of Asia-Europe Land-Sea Trade Corridor, the realization of efficient inter-connectivity, the deep integration into the "Belt and Road" picture, and the co-development of a highland for inland opening up.

Grasp the whole situation and explore new roads. In 2023,Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd.will comprehensively develop its automobile logistics business.The company actively provides automobile logistics services for BYD, Geely, and other local automobile enterprises in Shaanxithrough container transport, JSQ (table trolley) transport and other transportation means.

The first China Railway Express (Chang'an) Train Carrying Geely Autos Departs:

On January 28, 2023, the first China Railway Express (Chang'an) train carrying 600 Geely autos made in Xi'an departed. The train was heading for Moscow.

The First China Railway Express (Chang'an) TrainCarrying KiaAutos (JSQ) Departs:

On February 3, 2023, the first China Railway Express (Chang'an) train carrying Kia autos (JSQ) departed for Russia.

The Dedicated Export Train for BYD New Energy Automobiles (JSQ):

On April 21, 2023, a China Railway Express (Chang'an) train carrying 261 BYD new energy automobiles made in Shaanxi departed for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd.Improving the Quality and Efficiency of China Railway Express (Chang'an)Developing the New Functions of CRE (Chang'an)Stable Progress in China Railway Express (Chang'an) Operation.Since Xi’an Port was approved as Designated Port for Imported Automobiles in May 2017, Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. has been actively connecting with automobile manufacturers to develop the automobile logistics market. The company has reached cooperation with Volvo, FAW Audi, BYD, GWM, Geely, JAC, Polestar, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volkswagenand many other brands.A total of 85,240 automobiles have been imported and exported via the port, including 43,824exported and 41,416imported. Through unremitting efforts, ITL Group has helped Xi'an Port become the largest automobile import and export port in inland areas of China.

The Dedicated CRE (Chang'an) Train for Volvo Automobiles:

On June 13, 2018, the imported Volvo cars on "China Railway Express (Chang'an)" came to the Designated Port for Imported Automobiles in Xi'an Port. 160 imported Volvo cars were declared to have completed the test, marking the completion of the customs formalities of the first order at the Designated Port for Imported Automobiles in Xi'an Port.

The First China Railway Express (Chang'an) TrainChina Railway Express for Imported Audi Automobiles:

On October 15, 2020, following the successful implementation of the Volvo Automobile Project, the China Railway Express (Chang'an) for Imported Automobiles, loaded with 82 imported Audi automobiles, arrived in Xi'an.

First Launch of "China Railway Express for Exported Shaanxi Automobile":

On September 17, 2020, the first China Railway Express (Chang'an) from Xi'an to Budapest, the "China Railway Express for Exported Shaanxi Automobile", departed from Xi'an. This train carried high-end heavy trucks independently developed by Shaanxi Automobile.

Bi-directional Departure from both East and West ofChina Railway Express (Chang'an) for BYD Automobile:

On March 5, 2022, the westbound China Railway Express (Chang'an) (Xi'an-Budapest) and the eastbound Rail-sea Multimodal Freight Train (Xi'an-Egypt) of ITL Group's BYD Project started to go into service in Xi'an International Port Station.

The First Dedicated China Railway Express (Chang'an) for JAC Automobile:

On August 31, 2022, the First Dedicated China Railway Express (Chang'an) for JAC Automobile was launched.

ITL Group Launches Strategic Cooperation with Smart Automobile:

On September 29, 2022, the China Railway Express (Chang'an) carrying Smart #1 models of Smart Automobile departed from Xi'an International Port Station to Europe.

Launch of China Railway Express (Chang'an)for NEVs (Volkswagen ID.4):

On October 11, 2022, the China Europe Express (Chang'an) for NEVs (Volkswagen ID.4) launched successfully.

In the future,ITL Group ,together with Xi’an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd.,will help Shaanxi's industrial economic development and agglomeration,and make greater contributions to the economic and trade exchangesof countries and regions along the "the Belt and Road"through the construction of international logistics channels.

On April 21, 2023, ITL Group held a symposium with UTLC and RTSB on jointly promoting the high-quality development of China Railway Express (Chang'an) and exploring new cooperation modes.

At the symposium, the two sides briefly introduced UTLC and ITL Group, recalled the cooperation history between China Railway Express (Chang'an) and UTLC, and the results of cooperation, including the development of line products such as "German Express" passing by Branevo, and "Sea-Rail Combined Transport Express" passing by Kaliningrad.

UTLC highly commended the achievements made by Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. in train operation, route development, and the opening of the first "full-time schedule train", and expressed its strong intention to carry out more business and route development cooperation in the future.

ITL Group and its subordinate Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. will always focus on "customer needs", hammer at providing high-efficiency, high-quality, and professional international multimodal transportation services for enterprises, actively participate in the construction of the Asia-Europe Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and contribute to Shaanxi's deep integration into the Belt and Road and its building of a hub of reform and opening up in China's inland areas.

In order to implement the provincial and municipal "Three Years" activities and priorities of "eight aspects", ITL Group actively serves and integrates into the new development pattern, creates a highland for inland reform and opening up, and writes a new chapter of high-quality development for China Railway Express (Chang'an). On March 10, China Railway Express "Chang'an" Conference on Openness and Cooperation hosted by ITL Group was held in Xi'an. Themed "Openness and Cooperation", the conference gathered over 300 guests from the Top 500 enterprises, coastal ports, well-known logistics companies at home and abroad, railway companies, and financial institutions. The guests discussed the development trend and development strategies of China Railway Express in the new era.

Themed "Openness and Cooperation", the conference gathered over 300 guests from the Top 500 enterprises, coastal ports, well-known logistics companies at home and abroad, railway companies, and financial institutions. The guests discussed the development trend and development strategies of China Railway Express in the new era. The conference was divided into two parts: the forum and the awarding ceremony.

Heads of Xi'an Justice Bureau, Administrative Committee of Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park, Xi'an Station Customs, China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd., CRIntermodal and other institutions attended the conference. Other attendees include representatives from the Top 500 companies such as China COSCO Shipping Group, ShaanGu Power, Shaanxi Automobile Group, BYD and Geely; representatives from well-known logistics enterprises such as SHANGHAI AIR SEA TRANSPORT INC., EVERGREEN, DB Schenker, DHL, NX Group, DB Cargo; and representatives from financial institutions such as PICC and Chang'an Bank. Qu Jinwei, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of ITL Group, addressed the conference. Zhai Ruopeng, Deputy General manager of ITL Group, presided over the conference.

The forum in the morning consists of four sub-forums: Development of Full-time Schedule Trains at Home and Abroad, Development Trend of Sea-rail Combined Transport and Automobile Logistics, Construction of a High-Quality Railway Supply Chain to Improve the Competitiveness of FCL & LCL Products, and Seeking Common Development Opportunities through the Global Trade "Chain". The forum was held in a warm atmosphere with wonderful sharing by insiders.

ITL Group and its partners seek opportunities, cooperation, innovation, and a bright future through openness. The achievements of ITL Group are indispensable from the strong support of its partners. A total of 72 excellent suppliers were commended at the conference. The awards were classified into five categories: "Best Breakthrough Award of 2022", "Win-win Award of 2022", "Outstanding Contribution Award of 2022", "Best Cooperation Award of 2022", and "Strategic Cooperation Award of 2022".

Nothing can stop our steps forward. In 2023, ITL Group will continue to earnestly implement the guidelines of the 20th CPC National Congress and the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping during his investigation in Shaanxi, and join hands with its partners to deepen opening-up and cooperation and promote the high-quality development of China Railway Express (Chang'an), so as to make contributions to the joint construction of "Belt and Road", and the formation of a new development pattern of "dual circulation", and pay tribute to the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).