Dangyang launches direct railway transportation service to Laos

By Yan Wanqin.

A freight train carrying 1,024 tons of fertilizer and other export goods departed from Jiangshan Beier Road-Rail Logistics Park in Yichang’s Dangyang on May 19, marking a milestone in international trade logistics for the area.

This cargo is the first batch of Dangyang-made products exported via the China-Laos Railway. It is headed to Mohan Port in Yunnan Province before reaching Luang Prabang, Laos, within six to eight days.
 

"Previously, most of Dangyang's products, such as fertilizers, were exported using a combination of road and rail, which was time-consuming and costly," said a sales manager from Huaqiang Chemical, the fertilizer manufacturer whose products are on the maiden run. "The train has shortened the transportation time by two days and reduced logistics costs from 320 (US$44) yuan to 305 yuan per ton."

The logistics park has been enhanced with dynamic electronic rail scales, container loaders, and other advanced equipment, cutting handling times from 30 minutes to just 5 minutes.

"The loading and unloading processes have been optimized and the transport efficiency has been improved," said Fang Yunzhi, general manager of Jiangshan Beier Road-Rail Logistics Co., Ltd., which operates the logistics park.

In the future, products from Dangyang, Yuan'an, Jingmen, and surrounding areas will be transported to Laos via this route.

"The launch of the freight train has opened up a new international logistics route," said Chai Wei, director of the city's postal administration bureau, which oversees the local logistics industry.

He added that by the end of the year, 50,000 tons of local fertilizer and specialty agricultural products will be shipped through the China-Laos Railway.

Zhang Kai and Chen Xin contributed to this story.