Intercontinental connections
In addition to traditional sea and air freight we are able to offer a reliable rail service between Europe and China with 20′, 40′ and 45′ containers.
Sea freight is cheap, but has long transit times; air freight is expensive but fast. Rail comes as an intermediate solution: much faster than sea freight and cheaper than air freight. Rail is the most economic option among the three transport modes, if freight and capital cost are considered. Rail is superior to ocean. Whether rail or air should be used depends on time-cost preferences.
As modern production processes require highly reliable supply chains it has become increasingly important for transport services to deliver on schedule. Therefore intermodal rail transport could fit in here perfectly and contribute to a refinement in the provision of Euro-Asian transportation alternatives. Rail transport, in particular the new Silk Road Connections and the Trans Siberian Route is highly attractive and strongly promoted by the Chinese government.
What are the developments in transcontinental train connections?
Though rail freight will still occupy a niche position, nevertheless it is expected that, because of the following reasons, the volume will increase significantly in the coming years:
- Increase of relevant goods for rail freight (e.g. through the application of reefers)
- Substitution of air freight e.g. automotive spare parts, pharmacy products
- China’s western development requires transport alternatives via rail
- Reduced lead times will enhance attractiveness
- Investments in infrastructure
- Shorter idle times due to standardized bills of lading
- High dynamics in the development of new transport services by new operators