YQN Featured in 21st Century Business Herald's Report on a Decade of China-Europe Railway Express

21st Century Business Herald (21世纪经济报道) has examined how the China-Europe Railway Express has transformed Eurasian logistics over the past decade, featuring insights from YQN's China-Europe rail business lead on the growing role of rail freight in helping Chinese manufacturers reach European markets.

A Decade of Growth

China officially adopted the unified China-Europe Railway Express brand in June 2016. According to the report, citing data from China's National Development and Reform Commission, annual departures increased from 1,702 trains in 2016 to 20,022 in 2025.

Cumulative departures have surpassed 130,000 trains, transporting goods valued at more than US$520 billion. The report also highlights the network's operational resilience, with the heavy-container rate remaining at 100% for 46 consecutive months and the ratio of return to outbound trains approaching 1:1.

These developments reflect the growing importance of rail freight in connecting Chinese manufacturing hubs with markets across Europe and Asia.

Improving Efficiency Across the Supply Chain

The report highlights significant improvements in operating capacity and cross-border procedures over the past decade. Maximum train length has increased from 50 to 55 cars, while gross towing weight has risen from 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes.

Under the "Rail Fast Pass" customs model, clearance at border ports can be completed in under 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the scheduled China-Europe rail service from Xi'an to Duisburg has reduced its transit time from 15 days to as few as 11.

For shippers, improvements in transit time and operational predictability can help streamline inventory planning, reduce waiting time, and improve the coordination of international shipments.

How YQN Helps Manufacturers Reach European Markets

In the report, YQN's China-Europe rail business lead explains that rail freight offers a practical balance between transportation cost and transit time. For comparable China-Europe shipments, rail freight costs approximately one-fifth as much as air freight, while transit time can be around one-quarter of that of ocean freight. Actual costs and transit times vary by route, service, and shipment requirements.

The report notes that several Chinese home appliance manufacturers are already using rail freight from cities such as Zhengzhou to serve European markets.

YQN handles China-Europe rail orders from overseas customers every month, moving goods including furniture, household products, and fitness equipment from manufacturing locations across East, South, and Central China to Budapest, Hungary, and major rail terminals in the Czech Republic.

The report also highlights a practical application of YQN's European overseas warehousing services. During Europe's summer heatwave, a leading Chinese air conditioner brand used YQN's European warehouse to distribute large volumes of air conditioners to the European market, helping bring Chinese products closer to local consumers.

This example illustrates how international transportation and overseas warehousing can work together to support manufacturers' market expansion beyond the point of arrival.

Connecting International Freight with European Fulfillment

As Chinese manufacturers expand their presence in Europe, logistics requirements increasingly extend beyond international transportation. Businesses also need to coordinate overseas inventory, inland transportation, and distribution according to their products and market needs.

YQN brings together ocean freight, China-Europe rail freight, European overseas warehousing, and inland trucking to support integrated logistics and fulfillment for Chinese manufacturers and brands.

Its customer sectors include home appliances, smart manufacturing, automotive parts, fitness equipment, outdoor and garden products, industrial machinery, and new energy vehicles.

By combining international freight options with downstream logistics services, YQN helps customers develop transportation and fulfillment solutions suited to their shipment characteristics, delivery requirements, and European market strategies.

As the China-Europe Railway Express enters its second decade, YQN will continue to support businesses connecting Chinese manufacturing with European markets through coordinated international transportation and local logistics services.

Contact YQN

Looking for China-Europe rail freight, European warehousing, or integrated logistics solutions? Contact YQN at inquiry@yqn.com to discuss your shipping and fulfillment requirements.

Source: 21st Century Business Herald (21世纪经济报道), report on the 10th anniversary of the China-Europe Railway Express. Industry statistics and comparisons are attributed to the original report.