China’s Wuxi to Uzbekistan freight train introduces new route through Kyrgyzstan
Chinese freight carriers have initiated a new delivery route to Uzbekistan, with goods worth $1.7 million set to be delivered to Tashkent in 15 days through Kyrgyzstan. The departure of the freight train from Wuxi, Jiangsu Province on April 16 marks the first shipment of its kind from the region. The cargo, consisting of mechanical equipment, plastic products, and other goods, will travel by rail to Kashgar, where it will then be transferred to trucks for further transportation through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
This new route not only streamlines the customs declaration process but also offers cost advantages compared to traditional transportation methods. According to the Chinese side, multimodal transportation along this route is 10% cheaper than rail-only transport through Kazakhstan and provides a 33% cost reduction compared to road-only transportation.
In addition to this development, a freight train carrying polyester chips also departed from Chongqing to Uzbekistan on April 20. This route is expected to operate twice a month in the future, adding to the transportation options between the two countries.
Furthermore, progress is being made on a new railway project connecting Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. The 454-kilometer mountain route railway is estimated to cost $4.7 billion, with funding sources secured through agreements between the participating countries and China. Once operational, the railway is projected to handle 15 million tons of cargo annually, creating more efficient transportation links in the region.
Overall, these developments signal a growing partnership in transportation and trade between China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, opening up new opportunities for economic collaboration and growth.
