First direct China-UK freight train arrives in London
Posted: 18 January 2017 | | No comments yet
The first direct freight train travelling between China and the UK has arrived at DB Cargo’s UK Eurohub terminal in east London, travelling 12,000 kilometres (over 7,400 miles) over the course of 18 days.
On the 18 January 2017, a container train travelling 12,000 kilometres (over 7,400 miles) between China and the UK arrived in Barking, East London as part of a new freight service linking the two countries. The service is operated by InterRail Group, a multinational transport operator headquartered in Switzerland, on behalf of China Railway subsidiary CRIMT.
China-UK freight train arrives in 18 days
The train began its journey in Yiwu located in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang. Carrying primarily textiles and other consumer goods the vehicle reached London in 18 days – twice as fast as transport by sea. The 34’x40’ containers required specifically for the UK were loaded on to Deutsche Bahn’s container platforms at the Duisburg container terminal, which are specially approved for the Channel Tunnel.
London is one more international connection for the InterRail Group, along with Duisburg, Madrid, Afghanistan and Riga, on the “One Belt – One Road” corridor, an initiative of the Chinese government.