DHL adds another China-Europe rail link

DHL Global Forwarding is continuing to expand its rail services between China and Europe with a new connection to Belarus.
The forwarding giant today launched the first regular rail connection between Shenzhen and Minsk.
The route takes 12 days and also covers new overland connections to several major cities along China’s “Belt and Road” network that aims to re-establish the old silk road trade route.
DHL will manage the new route together with China Brilliant, an integrated service provider in global manufacturing and consumption.
The service will offer both Less-than-Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL) services along the route and will target electronics, industrial and automotive parts, and fresh food in both eastern Europe and China.
"Eastern Europe’s economies are growing faster than almost any others worldwide, with significant export opportunities arising from the region’s rising wages and disposable income levels," said Steve Huang, chief executive, DHL Global Forwarding Greater China.
"Minsk offers Chinese businesses an efficient gateway into the Baltic States and Nordic countries in addition to other major European destinations like Warsaw, Hamburg and Tilburg via Brest."
"With Shenzhen’s economy exceeding expectations to grow by 9% last year, the route also opens sizable opportunities for European exporters looking to sell to one of China’s most vibrant trade and business hubs, or use it as an important gateway to Southeast Asia and the rest of the Chinese consumer market.
The new route will transit through the Alashankou-Dostyk rail juncture which already services several other services, including rail connections from Chengdu, Zhengzhou, and Lianyungang to continental Europe.
There have been a spate of rail services connecting China and Europe over the last few years. The air cargo industry is increasingly seeing the option as a threat. It offers a lower price than airfreight and a faster transit time than seafreight.