Alblas, a long-established Dutch transport company, is finding success in China's Xinjiang, a key link between Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as it aims to streamline road transport links for trade between China and Europe.
At the Urumqi International Land Port's multimodal transport center, a major logistics hub for Eurasian trade, international vehicles gather to complete TIR procedures, a UN-backed customs transit system enabling goods to flow across borders.
With greatly-reduced administrative burden for customs authorities and transport and logistics companies at different border crossings, truck drivers with TIR carnets can transport sealed goods from China to European in about 10 days.
Founded in 1896, Alblas International Logistics recognized the potential of the Belt and Road policy and the vast overland market between China and Europe. In 2009, the company established a branch in Urumqi to serve as a launchpad for road transport between China and Europe.
"Already many years ago, we always tried to find new markets where to operate. In Europe, especially in eastern Europe, we have been a pioneer. Around 20 years ago, we started looking to the Chinese market,” said Siebe Alblas, operations manager of the company.
Since China joined the Convention on International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) in July 2016, companies certified for TIR can transport goods seamlessly among the 78 countries that have adopted the convention.
The Kashgar Area of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), founded in November last year, has further enhanced the efficiency of international road transport.
In August this year, the second TIR Logistics Hub in China certified by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), was established in Urumq, following the establishment of the first one in Kashgar, bringing together all essential road transit services under one roof including customs clearance and cargo handling.
On Aug 14 this year, two Chinese-registered trucks carrying battery materials successfully completed a seven-day journey to the Belarusian capital Minsk, marking a significant milestone in China-Belarus direct TIR transport.
"We set out from Urumqi and arrived in Belarus after driving about 6,200 kilometers. The journey was quite smooth. This is the first time we have arrived at the port of Brest in Belarus on a truck with a Chinese license plate. I am very excited and proud now," said Zhang Jian, a truck driver with Alblas Transport (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd.
Looking ahead, Alblas plans to expand its transport network to cover Central Asia and the Middle East, creating a comprehensive road transport service across the Eurasian region.
"For the future, I still have high expectations. Actually the road transport option that we are offering to the market is a really interesting alternative. Actually it will help many companies in China to close the gap to the European market to a minimum because within a few days, within two weeks, companies can have their goods transported to Europe against a relative competitive rate," Alblas said.
Dutch transport firm Alblas finding success in China
