A decade of prosperity: China-Europe freight train forges ahead

The X8155 China-Europe freight train, loaded with daily necessities, fitness equipment, and clothing, departed from Xi'an International Port Station in Xi'an on Nov 28, heading to Hamburg, Germany.

This marked the 10th anniversary of the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an) since its inaugural run on Nov 28, 2013.

Over the past decade, the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an) has played a pivotal role, completing a total of 20,897 trips. This constitutes approximately one-fourth of the national aggregate for freight train services and positions it as the leading service in crucial metrics such as the number of trips, freight volume, and container load rates.

As of Nov 28 this year, the freight train service has completed a total of 4,843 trips, surpassing the entire count for the previous year, and a year-on-year increase of 13.77 percent. Furthermore, these freight trains have efficiently transported an impressive 4.3 million metric tons of goods, up by 13.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

Xi'an International Port Station, known initially as Xinzhu Station, started construction on April 26, 2005, and was put into operation on Sept 1, 2006. It was a fourth-class small station on the north loop of the China Railway Xi'an Group Co, with only seven tracks and the capability to handle basic train operations.

In 2013, with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposal, Xinzhu Station became the originating station for the China-Europe freight train in Shaanxi.

On April 1, 2021, Xinzhu Station was officially renamed Xi'an International Port Station, upgrading from a fourth-class small station to a first-class operating station.

The station has become the most prominent railway logistics center in Northwest China and the distribution center for China-Europe freight trains in the inland area.

Currently, the China-Europe freight train (Xi'an) has opened 17 international transport trunk lines, achieving full coverage of significant cargo source destinations in Eurasia.

The development of the freight train service has promoted a smooth international logistics channel and provided high-quality services for the construction of the BRI.