Xinjiang becomes key logistics hub for B&R; handles 1,400 trains to Europe this year

Under the scorching sun, a crane loads containers filled with car parts, small commodities and clothing onto a train.

The train, stopping at the freight train logistics center in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, will carry the cargo to Moscow in a week.

On August 9, it became the 1,448th freight train to head to Europe from the center.

The year 2018 marks the fifth anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road (B&R) initiative.

So far this year, the center has handled 603 trains to Europe, which is equal to 85 percent of last year's total. The number is expected to reach 1,400 by the end of 2018.

Xinjiang, China's northwest doorway to Central Asia and West Asia, sits along the ancient Silk Road.

While more and more freight trains have connected Chinese and European cities, Xinjiang has transformed from a remote border region into a forefront for international logistics services.

When the operation of the train logistics center started in May 2016, only four international lines were available, with services operating once per week.

Now, trains departing from Urumqi run along 19 lines, covering 24 cities in 17 Asian and European countries, said Nan Jun, deputy general manager of Xinjiang Xintie, the operator of the logistics center.

Up to 3,600 tons of cargo is handled every day, making Urumqi one of the largest logistics centers along the B&R routes.

Benefiting from the optimization and improved schedule arrangement, the transportation time of China-Europe freight trains departing from the center has been cut from 22 days to 15 days, and that of the routes between China and Central Asia from 66 hours to 44 hours, said Nan.

Cooperating with more than 200 companies, the center has built a logistics platform where over 200 commodities ranging from garments to electronic components are transported to B&R countries.