Gansu Launches First Dedicated Chemical Freight China-Europe Railway Express

According to official Chinese media reports, the launch ceremony of Gansu’s first dedicated China-Europe freight train for chemical products was held at the Lanzhou International Land Port on 25 June. The new service represents landmark progress in central and local state-owned enterprise collaboration, supporting stable industrial supply chains between China and Europe and reinforcing Gansu’s external opening-up layout.

Jointly organised by multiple state-owned entities and the administrative committee of Gansu Lanzhou International Land Port, the freight train carries 1,210 tonnes of premium chemical goods loaded across 55 containers, covering ten major product categories. All cargo adopts standardised export packaging fully compliant with international trade specifications. Departing from Lanzhou Dongchuan Railway Station, the route exits China via the Alashankou port of entry and travels through Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus before reaching Warsaw in Poland.

The dedicated rail service delivers substantial logistical improvements compared with traditional sea-land combined transport models. Direct through carriage eliminates intermediate cargo unloading and transshipment procedures, cutting customs clearance time and reducing cargo losses throughout the journey. The overall transportation efficiency has improved by more than 50 per cent. Comprehensive cross-border logistics coordination covers transit procedures, overseas customs declaration and terminal distribution, establishing a seamless integrated logistics system to guarantee safe, efficient and punctual delivery of industrial goods.

The official launch of the specialised chemical freight route marks the end of sporadic, small-batch export deliveries for local chemical products. Local chemical export operations have entered a new phase of large-scale, regular and stable cross-border shipments. The upgraded logistics capacity further strengthens comprehensive service support for major local industrial enterprises and effectively meets the logistical demands of the real economy.

The new rail route establishes a standardised operational model for westward chemical product exports based in Gansu. It lays a solid operational foundation for the province to develop a regional distribution and transshipment hub for chemical commodities, unlocking expanded overseas market access for northwest China’s high-end chemical manufacturing sectors.