Special trains ready for e-commerce deliveries
September 30, 2014 Category Logistics, Railway transport
The first special trains for e-commerce freight delivery services between Shanghai and Beijing started running in July, marking the initial step of opening up rail services to commercial clients, China Railway Corp (CRC) said. CRC has reached an agreement with courier service providers and postal services authorities that the fast trains for e-commerce freight delivery may extend to the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Bohai Rim. SF Express, one of China’s largest courier services, contracted the first fast freight delivery train between Beijing and Shanghai. Other e-commerce platforms and courier services also are in negotiations with CRC to contract trains for parcel delivery. Rail delivery is faster than road transportation and much cheaper than cargo shipping. “Current air freight from Shanghai to Beijing may cost more than CNY0.8 per kilometer, while train freight is under CNY0.4 per kilometer. Intercity freight by train may be both cost-saving and time-saving,” said Huang Zhijun, a freight agent in Shanghai. “But for long-term cooperation and smooth operations, railway services must improve current warehousing, adjust to their schedules and link up railway and couriers’ outlets”, said Shi Jianjun, Manager with Shanghai Yuntong Shipping Consultancy Service. According to a report by CRC, in the first half of 2014, combined parcel delivery volume by rail in China totaled 770,000 metric tons, a 23.4% year-on-year drop. More fast trains for e-commerce and courier clients running between Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou were launched at the end of August.
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