China-Europe freight train runs smoothly during epidemic

In face of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Xi'an International Trade and Logistics (ITL) Park launched a fast track channel for the China-Europe Chang'an freight train, to ensure its stable and smooth operations.

At 9:40 am on Feb 8, seven Shandong-licensed container trucks loaded with light industrial products had arrived in Xi'an.

After three epidemic prevention and disinfection sessions, the trucks entered the specific area opened by the Xi'an Railway Container Center Station, waited in line for the gantry to lift and unload the goods, leaving immediately once offloaded.

The goods were then transported to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic by the China-Europe freight train.

"In order to ensure the smooth operation of the freight train, we contact domestic and foreign customers one-on-one and inform that we will apply for vehicle passes for normalized logistics vehicles during the epidemic period," said Yuan Xiaojun, general manager of Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co.

Relying on the Xi'an Railway Container Center Station, ITL Park will increase its liaisons with central stations throughout the country and jointly guide Central Asia and Central European cargoes stranded due to tight road capacity to Xi'an and transport them by the freight train.

The freight train is also undertaking the transportation of important anti-epidemic materials and the supply of people's food and daily necessities during the epidemic.

In January, the freight train made a total of 200 trips, transporting 146,000 metric tons of goods -- 2.4 times and 1.8 times more than the same period last year, respectively.