China inaugurates new freight train route to Afghanistan
China Opens New Railway Freight Route to Afghanistan, Cutting Travel Time and Costs
China has recently launched a new railway freight route to Afghanistan, with a train carrying ZTE telecommunications equipment making its way through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in just 12–15 days. This new route is set to improve connectivity and trade between China and Afghanistan.
The freight train, carrying 55 containers of ZTE telecommunications equipment, departed from Tuanjiecun station in Chongqing and is expected to arrive in Hairatan between February 21 and 24. This equipment will be crucial in developing Afghanistan’s communication networks.
By utilizing direct railway shipments, travel time is reduced by 3–5 days compared to road transport. Additionally, logistics costs decrease by 15–20%, making the new route a more efficient and cost-effective option for transporting goods.
This is not the first time China has utilized railway networks to transport goods to Afghanistan. In the fall of 2022, China sent its first batch of goods through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with plans to increase cargo turnover along the route to 4,000 containers per year.
In July 2023, the first container block train traveled the route from Lanzhou to Afghanistan, passing through Kashgar, Osh, and Andijan in an average of 16–18 days. These developments showcase China’s commitment to improving trade and connectivity with Afghanistan through efficient and reliable transportation routes.
