Gefco, the French logistics specialist has started a door-to-door rail freight service linking China and Europe, reports Lloyd's Loading List.
To reduce higher rail cost vis-a-vis ocean shipping, Gefco is working on developing backhaul from Europe to China as trains often return empty today.
The company believes that, as trade gathers momentum, high value goods such as automobiles and electronics, will be exported to China by rail in years to come, Gefco said.
Ocean freight from Chinese posts can be shipped Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Germany and Hungary via Alashankou and Manzhouli.
"More and more Chinese companies are looking at overseas markets and one of our strategies is to support local clients for global expansion," says Gefco China managing director Andrea Ambrogio.
Gefco emphasises that customers can take advantage of lead-time savings of over 50 per cent compared to ocean freight. It takes 18-28 days from China to Europe by rail against 45-60 days by sea.
Gefco, part of Russian Railways (RZD) since 2012, also says it provides "reliable, efficient and seamless customs service across Russia" based on the company's "outstanding" customs and VAT expertise.
Gefco China development director Michael Zhang said it once took 60 days for a leading Chinese auto maker to move spare parts from Harbin to Cherkessk in Russia by sea while it takes 23 days by rail.
Gefco also moves consumer goods from Dalian to Hamburg via Manzhouli in 26 days, said Mr Zhang and from Hamburg it is transshipped the UK.
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