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Rail service market updates | December 2021

According to statistics, the number of freight trains running between China and Europe has increased 15 times compared to 2015, reaching the number of more than 12,000 trains in 2020. In 2021, a further increase was recorded and the Trans-Siberian route experienced even greater demand in times of the pandemic due to a lack of sea and air freight capacity. However, the pandemic impact was also evident on Rail Service connections between China and Europe.

  • Current Situation and Review 2021

As experienced during the year, the situation remains challenging. The shortage of container equipment and increased slot restrictions, comparable to the sea freight market, have also become problematic for rail service. In addition, pandemic regulations as well as weather conditions have led to backlogs at border crossings. The rates are increased, but stable.

  • Outlook 2022

The situation will remain challenging until Chinese New Year, but it is expected that the slot management setup will improve thereafter. Overall, the demand on capacity will continue to grow significantly in 2022.

DACHSER offers multimodal, reliable rail services with an extensive coverage, connecting economic centers of major importance in China and Europe. Via the North Corridor, the Trans-Siberian Route connects Hamburg, Warsaw, Vienna and Bratislava with the Chinese main terminal cities including Changchun, Shenyang, Suzhou and Dongguan. To and from Duisburg, Hamburg, Neuss, Ludwigshafen, Vienna, Bratislava and Warsaw, DACHSER serves the South Corridor, also known as New Silk Road, to the Chinese hinterland areas of Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhengzhou.

Not only Block Trains but also Full Container Load (FCL) service is possible on this service, as well as Less-Than-Container-Load (LCL) which includes Consolidation Container Services (LCL-LCL) and Customer Consolidations (LCL-FCL).

Should you require any other departure terminals and/or destinations like the ones mentioned above or some more detailed information on Rail Services, your DACHSER contact will be glad to assist.

DACHSER worldwide
Contact us
Contact Ali Mahboob Digital Communications Manager Asia Pacific
+91 022 42328-247 mahboob.ali@dachser.com