Rail freight between mainland China and Hong Kong has resumed. A fully loaded train transporting medical supplies departed from Shenzhen on Wednesday, carrying anti-pandemic supplies for Hong Kong. According to local media sources, it is the first time rail freight operations resume after ten years.

The reason for the revival is to help Hong Kong battle the fifth wave of the pandemic. In the past ten years, freight transportation mostly took place via road, but the communication between the two sides has improved and rail freight is back on track.

Daily train

The train arrived after a 35-minute journey at the MTR Lo Wu Marshalling Yard in Hong Kong, with nine freight wagons carrying nearly 1.11 million rapid antigen test kits, 20,000 protective suits, and other medical supplies. The plan is to operate one train with 18 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers per day.

In addition, two more temporary reloading yards will be opened. These will be near the Lok Ma Chau crossing, on sites lent by a private developer.