On July 27, 2023, accompanied by a long whistle, a China Railway Express export special train (Lanzhou-Tashkent) with JSQ freight cars, loaded with 290 automobiles, slowly set off from Lanzhou Dongchuan Railway Logistics Center. This train, heading westward, will leave China through the Korgas Port in Xinjiang before arriving at its destination in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

It is reported that with the strong support of the Gansu (Lanzhou) International Inland Port Management Committee, Gansu International Logistics Group Co., Ltd., and the Lanzhou Branch of China Railway Special Cargo Logistics Co., Ltd., this train was arranged and planned by Lanzhou International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. and Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. to meet the shipping needs of customers. They actively allocated resources and applied for train dispatch plans, scientifically matching locomotives and JSQ cars and doing their best to provide reliable service and meet the needs of efficient, stable train operations.

The opening of this route has created a new international trade and logistics passage to the Eurasia region for Shaanxi and Gansu. It will promote the opening-up pattern of "two-way mutual benefits between the east and west," create new international trade routes, and provide more choices for Shaanxi manufacturing in "going global."

Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. is committed to providing professional logistics services for automobile transportation and actively expanding automobile transport routes and modes. To date, it has established multiple routes, including Xi'an-Almaty, Xi'an-Tashkent, Xi'an-Doskino, Xi'an-Belye Stolby, and Changsha-Tashkent. At the same time, it offers various route options for automobile manufacturers catering to their shipments departing from nearby cities. Continuously developing and challenging itself, the company strives to innovate and pushes to become a professional automobile logistics service provider encompassing parts logistics, shipping logistics, and equipment logistics.

ITL Group will further optimize the "China Railway Express JSQ Freight Car" operation plan, gradually expand the coverage of this channel, optimize resource allocation, strengthen transport organization, and promote the transportation mode of using JSQ cars to load exported vehicles. This will achieve efficient interconnectivity and increase ITL Group's contribution to the "Belt and Road" initiative and the formation of an inland hub for reform and opening up policies and a new dual-circulation development pattern with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international markets reinforcing each other.

From July 5 to 7, the 2023 Automotive Logistics Global Conference was held in Yantai, Shandong Province. Representatives from foreign embassies, automobile manufacturers, parts suppliers, automotive logistics companies, and shipping companies from around the world attended the conference.

On July 6th, Xi'an International Inland Port Investment & Development Group (ITL Group) participated in the 2023 Automotive Logistics Global Conference. The conference was organized by the China Federation of Logistics & Purchase (CFLP), Yantai Municipal People's Government, and Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. The Automotive Logistics Branch of CFLP and SPG Yantai Port Group Co., Ltd. served as co-organizers, with approximately 400 participants.

ITL Group was invited to participate in the launching ceremony of the "Cross-border Sea-Rail Multimodal Logistics Channel of Commercial Vehicles from Yantai to Central Asia" and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with SPG Yantai Port Group.

This partnership with SPG Yantai Port Group demonstrates an active practice of integrating an inland port-based national logistics hub with a port-based national logistics hub. It will have a profound impact on ITL Group's ability to serve the automobile industry, combine transportation and supply chain resources, deeply integrate into the industrial chain, and empower the manufacturing industry with high quality. Furthermore, it will contribute to the construction of an international multimodal transportation logistics corridor with high efficiency, low cost, and superior services, as well as the high-quality development of the China Railway Express Collaboration Center, thereby building up momentum for the inland reform and opening-up.

1. Jointly creating distinctive logistics services for commercial vehicles.

Both parties will provide more convenient and efficient distinctive commercial vehicle logistics services for domestic and international customers, establish a more comprehensive supply chain service system, and facilitate cross-border transportation of commercial vehicles on a larger scale.

2. Jointly promoting the development and operation of international intermodal projects.

In the future, both parties will further improve information channels, leverage the location advantages of Yantai Port as a departure port for overseas shipping, as well as the advantages of the Xi'an Port as the China Railway Express Collaboration Center, and jointly expand the operation of new sea-rail combined transport routes.

3. Jointly promoting the continuous, stable, and compliant development of the industry.

Both parties will explore the establishment of industry standards, including route, timeliness, and safety control standards. They will also establish dialogue mechanisms and exchange information with relevant overseas organizations and institutions, working together to promote the healthy development of the industry.

Both parties will further leverage their respective advantages to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.

The Cross-border Sea-Rail Multimodal Logistics Channel of Commercial Vehicles from Yantai to Central Asia is specifically designed for the international transportation of automobiles. Using a multimodal transportation approach employing roll-on/roll-off ships and cage trolleys, after completing vehicle discharging operations at Yantai Port, the cargo travels westward through Xi'an and exits through the Korgas Port to reach Central Asia. This corridor, following the successful operation of the Asia-Europe Land-Sea Trade Corridor's regular transit route for Japanese and South Korean automobiles via sea-rail combined transport established by the ITL Group last year, serves as another multimodal transportation corridor for automobiles. Compared to traditional shipping routes, the combined transportation mode of "roll-on/roll-off ship + JSQ cage trolley + car carrier" significantly improves transportation efficiency, reducing the transit time for automobile transportation by approximately 60%.

At 10:58 a.m. on June 27 local time, China's first full-time schedule return China-European freight train (Duisburg-Xi'an) departed from Duisburg Intermodal Terminal in Germany. It is expected to arrive at Xi'an International Port on July 9, with a total transit time of about 11.5 days.

Du Chunguo, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Düsseldorf, Zhang Wen, General Manager of China Railway Container Transport Corp. Ltd. Europe, Lars Nennhaus, COO of Duisburger Hafen AG, Tabea Klang, CSO of DB Cargo Eurasia GmbH, Gordon Matthes, Global Freight and Xu Qi, Head of the Overseas Office of Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. attended the departure ceremony.

Du Chunguo, Consul General of China in Düsseldorf said:

Recently, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz jointly attended in Berlin the closing ceremony of the 11th China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum He said that under the current changing and turbulent situation, strengthening cooperation is the right way to mutual benefit and win-win results, and is also the right thing that the two sides should do with all efforts. Li Qiang also noted the necessity to take economic and technological cooperation as an important cornerstone of international cooperation, grasp the trend of economic globalization, firmly support free trade, and promote the common prosperity and development of humanity. Faced with the complicated international environment, China-Europe freight trains arriving at and departing from the Port of Duisburg firmly send positive signals that there are bright prospects for pragmatic cooperation between China and Germany and Europe, helping to promote policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds among countries along the route.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Ten years ago, an international train departing from Duisburg, which was the first return train from Europe to China, successfully arrived in China. Ten years later, a new train here will set sail for a new future.

China Railway Express (Chang'an) has written a new chapter for this wonderful story of pragmatic cooperation between China and Germany and Europe. The frequency of the newly launched full-time schedule train has been increased to two outbound trips and one inbound trip every week, with more diversified types of goods. The move further improves the reloading efficiency and the market competitiveness of the service.

Zhang Wen, General Manager of China Railway Container Transport Corp. Ltd. Europe, said:

The launch of the full-time schedule train service is credited to the market demand, the support and exploration of clients, and the concerted cooperation among railway companies in various countries. It 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. The successful departure of the first import full-time schedule train will promote the high-quality development of the China-Europe freight train service.

Lars Nennhaus, COO of Duisburger Hafen AG, said:

The excellent service and stable transit time of China Railway Express (Chang'an) along many lines provide a strong guarantee for the timely arrival of clients' goods, leading to the departure of the full-time schedule return train. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with ITL Group and contribute to the Belt and Road cooperation.

Tabea Klang, CSO of DB Cargo Eurasia GmbH, said:

Since 2019, we have cooperated with ITL Group to develop new routes of China Railway Express. Since its launch in October 2022, the full-time schedule train service has received praise from many parties, and has been highly valued and supported by the senior management of DB Cargo and all railway authorities along the lines. At the Asian Logistics Biennale, we have launched a new product of the full-time schedule train service. Undoubtedly, the service has been a very successful program in the rail transport market so far, with an average transit time reduced to 11 days. Starting today, one import full-time schedule train will depart from Duisburg to Xi'an every week. 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.

By setting this milestone, DB Cargo, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., ITL Group and all partners, including railway hubs, will contribute to the future development of the Eurasian Corridor. We always believe that the future of freight belongs to the railways. Let's work together to create a better future.

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. This is the first overseas return train after the release of the new products of domestic and overseas full-time schedule China-Europe freight trains.

The return China-Europe freight train (Duisburg-Xi'an) carries 42 containers, mainly including auto parts, high-precision electronic instruments, brand cosmetics and German beer. It passes through Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan and enters China via the Alashankou Port.

Full-time schedule trains run in strict accordance with the standards of dwell time at border stations, and priority is given to formation, trailer transport and departure for them. The move effectively shortens the operation time of all links of China-Europe freight trains, 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 the specified train number, and improves the service quality of China-Europe freight trains in the whole journey and their market competitiveness.

Xu Qi, Head of the Overseas Office of Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd.

It is a great honor for me to witness the historical moment of the first import full-time schedule train. In order to ensure the smooth departure and transport 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 will continue to provide customers with higher-quality services and ensure the long-term stable operations of full-time schedule trains.

The operation of domestic and overseas full-time schedule trains will continue to promote the higher-quality development of China Railway Express (Chang'an), further deepen economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road, and promote the integrated development of transport, logistics, commerce and trade, industry, finance, culture and other factors.

ITL Group will continue to optimize and explore more route products and modes, push China-Europe freight train service to a new level, and play an active role in accelerating Shaanxi's construction of an inland highland for reform and opening-up, serving the country's westward opening-up, and fostering a new development pattern with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international markets reinforcing each other.

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