Yet another new China – Afghanistan rail freight route launched
China is finding its way into Afghanistan via rail more and more often. The country has recently launched a new service from the city of Chongqing into the Afghan city Hairatan, through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It is the third such occasion in relatively short succession.
In November, China launched a rail freight service from the city of Nantong[1] to Afghanistan. Shortly after, in January, a new steel coil[2] transport service was launched via sea, into Iran, and from there by rail in Afghanistan. The recently launched train is taking communication equipment, among other things, from China to Afghanistan in 12 to 15 days.
The equipment is to be used to develop communication networks.
Faster and cheaper
"Via direct freight train services, the transportation duration has been reduced by three to five days compared to previous road transport, and logistics costs are expected to be cut back by 15 to 20 per cent," a Chinese representative of one of the involved companies told Chinese media. "The successful launch of the direct freight train from Chongqing to Afghanistan marks another effort in deepening our economic and trade cooperation with Central Asian countries," another Chinese representative added.
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References
- ^ Nantong (www.railfreight.com)
- ^ steel coil (www.railfreight.com)
- ^ See the offer (www.railfreight.com)