Cargo handling procedure improvement, logistic information sharing boost cross-border freight train service

Improvement of the cargo handling procedure and enhancement of logistics information sharing have led to significant reduction of logistics cost and higher efficiency in the operation of cross-border China-Europe Freight Train transport service that starts from the Xi'an International Port in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

At the port's container yard, weighing and unloading containers have been combined into one single process, thanks to the installation of precise weighing devices on reach stackers. Such a workflow integration has relieved the gantry cranes of the separate weighing process, allowing the port to focus solely on lifting containers, thus, reducing the time spent in the process from 160 minutes to mere five minutes.

"The cost reduction is obvious. For instance, truck drivers used to charge 200 yuan (28 U.S. dollars) for one round-trip. Now they can make two round-trips a day, earning 400 yuan. If they can make five round-trips a day, they can earn 1,000 yuan. In this case, they are willing to lower the cost for each trip. Based on our preliminary calculation, the cost of freight for each container can be cut by 70 yuan after we optimize the cargo handling procedure," said Qi Chao, deputy director of the multimodal transport department of the freight department of the China Railway Xi'an Bureau.

The operational enhancements span the entire spectrum of handling processes, from the arrival of contain trucks at the port, to the container unloading, the dispatch of flat-bed trailers, and the cargo handling and inspection processes on freight trains.

"The time for cargo assembly has been cut from seven days to about three day, and the time for cargo handling at the station has been slashed from nearly 900 minutes to about 300 minutes," Qi said.

Apart from the improvement in the cargo assembly and handling processes, the better logistics information sharing also improves the efficiency of the cross-border freight train services.

Previously, customs-related papers must be submitted seven times before cargo are loaded onto the trains, resulting in redundancy in customs procedures.

To streamline this process, the Xi'an Cargo Assembly Center for China-Europe Freight Train Service has introduced a system that allows one single documentation to be submitted for multiple declarations, which has significantly curtailed the time spent on customs procedures.

To foster more effective collaboration, the the Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd. and the Chinese branch of KTZ Express have established operational offices on the same floor. This proximity has facilitated communication between employees of both sides and accelerated the integration of information systems for China-Europe Freight Train service.

"The moment that the freight train sets out from China, Kazakhstan gets cargo information, so that we can prepare the customs declaration in advance. We can work together and find a solution for possible problems arising from transportation. The information sharing system is a vital solution," said Olzhas Aleibekov, deputy general manager of the Chinese branch of KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan's national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ).

The consistent transport schedules, increasingly streamlined customs procedures, and continual reduction in overall costs have underscored the benefits of cargo assembly for China-Europe Freight Train service, encouraging a growing number of countries on the route to actively engage in this collaboration.

An Azerbaijan's logistics and freight company known as 166 LOGiSTiKA has witnessed a rapid business development.

"We started from [sending] 10 containers, and now every month we send like 100 containers, and in November we have the plan to send 200 containers. I think for [such a] short time, it is a very good result," said Sarkhan Kubanli, head of the Chinese branch of 166 LOGiSTiKA.

Notably, as part of the China-Europe Freight Train service, the trans-Caspian train service has seen a 24-fold increase so far this year compared to the same period of last year, becoming a new growth prospect for the China-Europe Freight Train service.

The cross-border China-Europe Freight Train service connecting China and the European countries, officially known as "CHINA RAILWAY Express", has bridged Chinese cities with 222 European cities in 25 countries.

Initiated in 2011, the China-Europe rail service is considered a significant part of the Belt and Road Initiative to boost trade between China and countries along the routes.

Cargo handling procedure improvement, logistic information sharing boost cross-border freight train service

The Port of Los Angeles, one of the busiest and most vital container ports in the United States, is now facing a dramatic slowdown of some 35 percent in cargo volume year on year this week, as U.S. tariff policies take a visible toll on trade flows.

Long a key gateway for trans-Pacific shipping, the port typically handles massive volumes of cargo from Asia, with about half of its incoming vessels coming from China under normal conditions. But that rhythm has been disrupted.

Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port, has warned repeatedly that U.S. tariffs are forcing companies to slash import orders, threatening a sharp drop in inbound cargo volumes.

This week, the first Chinese ships affected by the fresh U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration arrived at the port, signaling what's to come: rising prices and potential product shortages for U.S. consumers.

"I'm very concerned about [it] because everything is high. Everywhere you go it costs a lot of money. And I think it's not just me, a lot of people, you know. I mean everything even if I look at [almost everything], is made in China. So, you know, it [is] just anything I think going around not just here in the U.S., around the world. I think nobody likes it because you know, businesses are closing down," said Oscar, a local resident.

"It is very hard. The crisis is very hard. Everything is expensive. It's very difficult to buy things. It is almost little, what one earns, compared to everything which is expensive. Now that the president's [tariff policy makes it] all very expensive. We pay more than we should before probably with these laws," said Christina, another local resident.

The numbers tell the story of a port under pressure. Chinese vessel traffic has fallen by more than 50 percent.

Of the 80 ships originally expected in May, one in five bookings have already been canceled. June isn't looking better -- 13 ship calls have been canceled well in advance.

The ripple effects are stark. Truck drivers who once moved four to five containers daily are now averaging just two to three containers. From dockworkers, warehouse crews to maintenance technicians, many port employees are seeing workloads slashed in half. If the downturn continues, job losses could follow.

Industry-wide forecasts are equally grim. According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. imports could fall by at least 20 percent in the second half of 2025.

But the drop in Chinese imports may be far worse. JPMorgan estimates a 75-percent to 80-percent plunge.

For the Port of Los Angeles and ports across the country, the economic fallout may be severe and long lasting.

Cargo volume plunges 35 pct at Port of Los Angeles in wake of fresh tariffs