A more efficient train takes vehicles to Europe

The first specially designed freight train from Chongqing's Yongchuan district headed for Europe on Tuesday loaded with 232 vehicles manufactured by Great Wall Motors valued at about 42 million yuan ($5.76 million).

Shipping time from Chongqing to Europe will be reduced to 18 days using the China-Europe freight train service, about half the time needed for shipping by sea.

To better meet the export demand of vehicle enterprises, China Railway Special Cargo Logistics Co now uses special trains with highly efficient compartments into which cars can be driven directly and then unloaded quickly. This type of train can carry 261 complete vehicles, increasing the transportation capacity of each train by more than 58 percent and reducing costs by 20 percent, compared with traditional models.

According to Chongqing's logistics office, this will allow products made in Yongchuan to be shipped directly from the place of origin, reducing transfer times and logistics costs for enterprises.

"This international freight service provides more diverse and flexible logistics options for enterprises to go global with their products, especially for automakers in Chongqing," said Yang Lin, director of the logistics office.

Chongqing is one of the largest automobile manufacturing bases in China. In the first seven months of this year, it has exported 203,000 vehicles, according to Chongqing Customs.

Yongchuan has imported and exported about 1,000 TEUs of goods such as cars, motorcycles, and agricultural machinery via China-Europe freight trains this year, according to the Yongchuan commerce commission.