Eng
After two years of decline in intermodal rail freight traffic on trans-Eurasian routes, due to lower interest of European logistics companies in this service following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, last year saw renewed growth in this area.
The New Silk Road rail linking East Asia to Europe carried more than 380,000 TEU in 2024 – an increase of more than 80% over 2023, according to the Eurasian Rail Alliance. Although last year’s freight traffic is one and a half times lower than in 2021, there is a clear recovery of interest in these routes.
Most of the traffic along the New Silk Road relies on the northern corridor via Poland.
Transport along the New Silk Road became an alternative to maritime transport due to the crisis in the Red Sea and the need to divert ships through the Cape of Good Hope, which meant longer routes and higher costs. As a result, traffic between China and Europe dropped by more than 60% and the average freight cost per 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU) from Shanghai to Rotterdam increased by around 78%. Therefore, Eurasian logistics began to proactively expand rail transport on additional routes.
According to Eurasia Rail, average rail freight rates last year were 59% lower than average maritime rates on China–Europe routes, given the decline in trade flows through the Suez Canal and the associated increase in shipping costs against a background of stable rail rates in 2024.
Source: trans.info