Since the beginning of the 21st century railway transport from China is gaining popularity, especially among European countries, for which the People's Republic of China is a major trading partner. Cargo transport from China carried out by rail is becoming an attractive alternative both for sea freight, and air. Learn about the most important aspects that influence the growing popularity of rail freight forwarding between China and Europe and see what benefits this solution brings.
Rail transport from China is becoming increasingly popular in both Europe and Poland. It owes its growing importance to numerous advantages, among which it is worth mentioning particularly short delivery times, low costs and ecological character. The dynamic development of railway infrastructure on the China-Europe route is also significant. It is worth emphasizing that Poland, which lies on the main thread of the New Silk Road, plays a special role in the implementation of rail transport services from China to Europe. What is more, it can be assumed that in a situation where rail is becoming more and more accessible and effective, its popularity among Polish and European entrepreneurs will continue to grow.
Short delivery time
One of the main reasons why rail freight from China is constantly gaining popularity is the short delivery time. It is worth noting that container shipping from China to Europe takes 30-40 days. Sometimes it is even longer due to the unrest in the Red Sea, which is the only route to the Suez Canal, which shortens the sea voyage from Asia to Europe. In global terms, the supply chain from the shipper in China to the recipient in Europe can take 2-3 months. As a result, this significantly delays the introduction of goods to the market and extends the period of money turnover, which contributes to reducing trade profits.
Unlike sea freight, rail transport is predictable and much shorter. The transport time from terminals in China to Polish Małaszewicze takes from 12 to 18 days, which translates into a global transit time within the door-to-door service of 22-28 days of delivery. This is 2 or even 3 times shorter than by ship. In rail transport, containers are not rolled, and the transport is carried out according to a planned schedule. All this makes rail freight much more predictable than sea freight, which is its huge advantage.
Rail transport allows for faster delivery of goods, which translates directly into higher flexibility in supply chain management. As a result, for many companies, especially those that must react quickly to changing market conditions, faster and more predictable transport is a huge advantage.
Lower costs
Rail transport from China It also offers significant savings. It is significantly cheaper than air freight and is usually slightly more expensive than shipping a container by ship. This makes rail freight an ideal solution for companies looking for a reasonable compromise between time and cost of delivery.
Rail freight is even more advantageous for the transport of general cargo. The price for transporting the same amount of goods by rail, which is smaller than the capacity of the container, is often cheaper than by container ship, making it an attractive choice for companies wishing to optimize their logistics expenses.
Ecological aspect of rail transport
Rail transport is also gaining popularity due to its low impact on the environment. Trains emit significantly less carbon dioxide compared to not only air transport, but even to sea freight. For companies that focus on sustainable development and want to reduce their carbon footprint, rail transport should be a choice. It is worth remembering that supporting ecological transport solutions, including rail freight transport, not only fits into market trends, but can also help improve the brand image.
Development of railway infrastructure on the China-Europe route
It is worth adding that the growing popularity of rail transport from China is influenced by the dynamic development of rail infrastructure on the China-Europe route. In recent years, many new rail connections have been created, which facilitate and speed up the transport of goods. Investments in infrastructure, including the construction of new transshipment terminals and the modernization of existing railway lines, mean that rail freight is becoming more efficient and reliable. Thanks to this, companies can count on greater stability and regularity of deliveries.
