BEIJING, April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The trans-Caspian route of the China Railway Express (Xi'an) saw robust growth in the first quarter of 2026, offering a faster and more resilient link between China and Europe, according to local authorities.
An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 17, 2025 shows a China-Europe freight train departing from the Xi'an International Port Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
The route runs from Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, to Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, passing through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea. The rail-sea corridor represents the shortest link for onward connections to Europe, diversifying transcontinental freight options within the logistics network.
From January to March, the route handled 85 rail-sea train trips, a 150 percent increase year on year, said Wu Le, deputy general manager of Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd.
The route is part of the China-Europe Railway Express network, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative. By October 2025, the railway network had made nearly 120,000 trips and handled nearly 12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo, serving 232 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian nations.
Almaty, Kazakhstan, serves as a key hub on the Caspian route. In recent years, Chinese and Kazakh railway companies have worked closely to match capacity with demand through data sharing and document pre-screening, sharply cutting transit times.
"Shipping time from Xi'an to Baku has dropped from about 20 days last year to around 15 days now, with the fastest taking just 11 days, a roughly 25 percent improvement. This has provided strong support for the high-quality development of the trans-Caspian route," Wu added.
The management committee of Xi'an Chanba International Port said it will deepen cooperation with railway and shipping operators in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and other countries to further enhance the route's capacity and competitiveness.
Faster logistics are already delivering tangible benefits for businesses. Ma Dong, general manager of Xi'an PFIT International Logistics Co., Ltd., said the significantly shorter shipping time has made exports more competitive, allowing goods to reach overseas markets faster, improving capital turnover and boosting corporate confidence.
For more information, visit: Facilities Connectivity
About BELT AND ROAD PORTAL
The Belt and Road Portal is the official website for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It responds to major concerns at home and abroad in a timely manner, interprets key concepts about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), releases latest BRI-related information, presents latest achievements of Belt and Road cooperation, and provides information services and communication channels for enterprises, social organizations and citizens to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation.
Contact Info:
Full Company Name: BELT AND ROAD PORTAL
Company Website: https://www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn
Contact Person Name: Yang Linlin
Email: yidaiyilu@xinhua.org
Disclaimer: This content is provided by BELT AND ROAD PORTAL. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or business advice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or financial losses resulting from the use or reliance on the information in this press release. Speculate only with funds you can afford to lose. In the event of any legal claims or concerns regarding this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained herein. Any complaints, copyright issues, or inquiries regarding this article should be directed to the content provider listed above.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b5f1491-c332-476f-8118-3662eaf47a85
