Tianjin Sees Strong Growth in China-Europe, Central Asia Freight Train Services

A report from en.tj.gov.cn 18th, 2026：

Tianjin Customs supervised the dispatch of China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains carrying more than 28,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo in the first four months of 2026.

Recently, a freight train loaded with home appliances, machinery parts and other goods departed from Tianjin for Central Asia via the Alashankou port in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The journey reflects the regular operation of the newly launched scheduled Tianjin-Alashankou China-Central Asia freight train service, which began in April.

As a key land-sea transportation hub under the Belt and Road Initiative, Tianjin Port has opened multiple international rail routes exiting through Erenhot, Manzhouli, Alashankou and Khorgos, forming an increasingly comprehensive logistics network linking China with Europe and Central Asia.

According to freight forwarders, the newly scheduled Alashankou route has significantly improved cargo organization and operational flexibility, allowing companies to choose border crossings more efficiently based on supply conditions.

To ensure stable and efficient operations, Tianjin customs authorities have strengthened coordination with railway and port operators through point-to-point cooperation mechanisms, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid responses during transport. Customs authorities have also continued to streamline clearance procedures through the direct port-yard connection model, reducing the transfer time for transit cargo from ship unloading to railway yards to within three hours.

Statistics show that from January to April, Tianjin Customs supervised 268 China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight train trips carrying 28,848 TEUs, up 11.2 percent and 10.9 percent year-on-year, respectively.