Eastern corridor of China-Europe freight train service witnesses over 1,000 trips in 2026

As of Feb. 26, 2026, the eastern corridor of the China-Europe freight train network has witnessed more than 1,000 train trips on its railway lines this year, breaking the mark 26 days earlier than last year.

Cargo throughput surpassed 100,000 TEUs, with train trips and freight volume rising 48.4 percent and 43.2 percent year on year, respectively.

The eastern corridor consists of three railway ports including Manzhouli, Suifenhe and Tongjiang. The number of operating routes has expanded to 27, linking over 60 Chinese cities with 14 European countries.

To cope with surging cross-border demand, railway authorities have deployed "smart border port" systems and strengthened coordination with customs and border inspection agencies. Clearance procedures have been streamlined to under 30 minutes, boosting overall transport efficiency by around 10 percent.

At Manzhouli Station, operations are running at full capacity.

"We can handle 16 freight trains in 24 hours, totaling over 900 containers. All our six devices run in full capacity every day. Staff work in shifts while equipment runs non-stop. We are committed to keeping processing time for each train within two hours to ensure timely departures," said Yang Liang, a worker from Manzhouli station.

Eastern corridor of China-Europe freight train service witnesses over 1,000 trips in 2026

The Alashankou railway port, also known as Alataw Pass, a major railway port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, handled 14.244 million tons of freight in the first eight months of this year, up 13 percent year on year, the latest data showed.

The figures reflect the continued improvement in the westward logistics corridor's capacity to ensure smooth and unimpeded trade flows.

To date, 129 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight train routes pass through the Alashankou railway port, reaching 21 countries including Germany and Poland.

The variety of goods transported has expanded to more than 200 categories, including mechanical and electrical equipment, new energy products, auto parts, and daily necessities, with the two-way cargo flow structure continuing to improve.

Major Xinjiang rail port handles over 14 million tons of freight in Jan-Aug