The first China-Europe freight train loaded with Wuxi-made products departs Wuxi for Moscow on March 30. [Photo/wuxi.gov.cn]
The first China-Europe freight train departed the West Wuxi Railway Station in Luoshe town, Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on March 30, local media reported.
The train, loaded with steel components, matt film, and piston rods produced by Wuxi companies, is expected to arrive in Moscow, capital of Russia, after 25 to 30 days.
"The operation of China-Europe freight trains in Wuxi will alleviate the supply pressure on local foreign trade companies," said a staff member from Wuxi Precision Steel Tube Co Ltd. "The delivery time will be reduced by at least 20 days and the cost will be lower about 35 percent than sea transport."
The Huishan High-tech Development Zone (Luoshe town) West Wuxi Railway Station Logistics Park. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxidaily]
More than 90 percent of foreign trade companies in Wuxi will turn to rail transport to deliver their products to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative following the introduction of the China-Europe trains, according to Zhu Ping, deputy director of the Huishan High-tech Development Zone (Luoshe town) West Wuxi Railway Station Logistics Park.
The Wuxi International Freight Train Co Ltd, operator of the China-Europe freight trains in the city, has signed a cooperation agreement with more than 10 local foreign trade companies. Over 40 companies have expressed their intention to utilize railway transport, said Xia Linfei, head of the company.
Xia noted that four China-Europe freight trains would operate in Wuxi per month within this year.
