Japanese trading firm Itochu will soon launch a freight transport service running between Japan and Europe via China, according to Nikkei. The service has been in trial since January and will launch properly by the end of March.
According to the report, cargo will initially move between Japan and China by sea, before travelling via truck to train stations in China. Then it will take multiple routes throughout Europe’s railway system via Russia, Belarus, Poland, Hamburg and Kazakhstan. Air freight normally takes around seven days. By comparison, this new railway service will take approximately 25 days, but will operate at around half the cost. (Looking to the East at IFA)
Analyst Comment
Train can be fast, but vibration in long train journeys can be a reliability issue, unless it is taken into account in packaging design. The availability of another alternative, between the slow, but cheaper sea routes and fast, but expensive, air adds to the options. (BR)
