China has started a pilot program for a high-speed rail freight line. The pilot programme runs between the cities of Chongqing and Zhengzhou in central China. The line reportedly saves a day in transport times in comparison with road transportation. Chongqing is an international rail hub for which ambitions go beyond this piloted high-speed line.

As the operator of the trains, China Railway Express, points out, the new freight line is faster than road transport by a day, and it matches air freight in terms of speed. The trains cover a distance of over a thousand kilometres within five hours while carrying freight of up to 15 metric tonnes.

Expansion ambitions

Chongqing serves as an international rail hub that helps connect China to Europe by linking up to ports and westward railways. There are plans to open express rail services on the China-Europe route, improving integration between manufacturing industries and high-speed rail infrastructure.

Additionally, ambitions for Chongqing as a rail hub go even further. There are plans to elevate Chongqing’s status to a crucial national hub for high-speed rail freight. To that end, additional high-speed rail freight routes will be built that connect to Chinese regions in all directions.

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