New container train service between Finland and China

The first container train of the new Railgate Finland, Kouvola-China Express service has started its journey from Kouvola to Xi´an, China on 10 November.

Transport via Kouvola will make the route up to 2000 km shorter. The track gauge is similar to that used in Russia, which means that time-consuming reloading needs to be performed only once. The route is operated by KTZ Express, Kazakhstan Railway’s transport and logistics service provider. Thanks to the new route’s speed, the train also enables refridgerated goods to be transported and the transport of seasonal goods and products requiring special conditions.

The transport corridor has been developed actively since 2013 by Kouvola Innovation Oy in cooperation with the City of Kouvola, and both local and international businesses and partners.

– Railgate Finland, Kouvola – China Express will open up new business opportunities to entirely new product groups for which air transport has been too expensive, but maritime transport too slow. In addition to China, the transport corridor contributes to Japan, Australia and South Korea, and to imports to Europe and the Nordic Countries –  said the Managing Director Martti Husu, from Kouvola Innovation Oy, reported railwaypro.com.