Knowing All about Hunan

Huaihua-Vientiane freight train service opens

Editor:阮梓峰
Source:Xinhua
Updated:2022-01-10 09:22:10

On January 6, Hunan's first China-Laos Railway international freight train set off from Huaihua.

At 10:15 on January 6, the first Huaihua-Vientiane freight train set offat Huaihua International Land Port. It marked the opening of the train. It was central China’s first international freight train bound for ASEAN countries.

The train carried 72 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of Huaihua sweet oranges, Shuangfeng small agricultural machinery, Sany mini-excavators, and daily necessities. It set off from Huaihua and was to travel westward by way of Guiyang, Liupanshui, and Kunming. It will leave China via Yunan Province’s Mohan Port before arriving in Laos’ Vientiane by way of Boten, after a 6-day journey traversing 2,098 kilometers.

The travel time from Hunan to ASEAN countries by railway is only one-third of that by highway, according to a person in charge of the Huaihua International Land Port Co., Ltd. There is a relative low cost. The safety, reliability, and economical efficiency are greatly improved. Huaihua, as a logistics center, contributes to a new fast channel connecting Hunan with ASEAN countries. This will boost foreign trade growth between Hunan and ASEAN countries.

The Huaihua-Vientiane international freight train service is expected to operate two trains per month in the early stage. In order to promote the normal operation of trains, Huaihua will increase cargo collection efforts, attract sources of goods from surrounding areas, form a logistics chain, and promote industrial development. The Changsha Customs will strengthen connections with Nanning and Kunming Customs to facilitate customs clearance for enterprises.

Translator: Xiao Juan