[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rtsb.group\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2b4e9d8dc9e8df6fb837e0313e9908d1efd52569-300×179.png” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”Train in swiss country side with snowy mountains” title_text=”RTSB train link switzerland china” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ align=”right”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Iron Silk Road: Switzerland boosts rail links to China.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n As many factories in China have returned to normal operations after the recent COVID-19 outbreak, first signs of capacity shortages in both air and sea freight are starting to emerge. To address growing demand in challenging times, RTSB Schweiz AG and Schweizerzug AG have formed an alliance to offer a new rail freight service for maritime containers between Switzerland and China. The new connection started operating on April 1st<\/sup>\u00a0and is set to be an efficient and cost-effective alternative for transportation companies looking to keep their supply chains flowing.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n RTSB and Schweizerzug start by offering weekly departures in each direction. Their China service connects Frenkendorf near Basel and Niederglatt near Zurich with the two Chinese hubs Xian, which is centrally located, and Hefei, based on the east coast. Important industrial centres such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wenzhou, Taizhou, Ningbo, Nantong, Changzhou, Nanjing, Jining, Linyi and Qingdao are easily accessible via those hubs. Customers benefit from complete door-to-door connections to both China and Switzerland. Additionally, an efficient customs system ensures reliable transportation without additional waiting times at the respective border stations. But what might be most important in times like these: With a transit time of approximately 15 days to Xian and 18 days to Hefei, the new rail link slashes shipping time on the Rotterdam \u2013 Shanghai sea route in half, when compared to sea freight.<\/p>\n Political endorsement<\/strong><\/p>\n A dedicated rail connection between Switzerland and China has not just been a hot topic for the logistics industry for a short while, political leaders have been pursuing this idea for some time, too. In April 2019, Switzerland\u2019s president signed a cooperation agreement with his Chinese counterpart to back China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative. A great number of high-level delegations have been travelling back and forth between the two countries, aiming at establishing connections and educating Swiss companies in the many benefits of the project. The market\u2019s response so far has been very positive.<\/p>\n However, Wolfgang Rupf, Managing Director RTSB Schweiz, points out: \u201cDue to the lack of cost-efficient alternatives so far, many Swiss shippers are used to ocean freight for cargo to and from China. Our new product offers a viable alternative and we\u2019re looking forward to catering to the market\u2019s mand. Of course, every new product launch requires some lead time, but we\u2019re confident to see volumes grow quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Roman Mayer, CEO Schweizerzug, explains the timing of the product launch: \u201cWith our new rail link between China and Switzerland, we are providing the market a reliable alternative for urgent or valuable cargo. Due to the corona outbreak, many economic players fear supply shortages in the coming weeks. We are offering solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n China is Switzerland\u2019s most important trading partner after the EU and the US. Currently, the majority of rail freight volumes between the two countries runs via large German hubs such as Duisburg and Hamburg. Austria, Hungary and Ukraine have emerged as hubs for Eastern European countries. However, these connections feature relatively long lead times, making rail freight to and from China a less competitive option. With the new Switzerland \u2013 China link, this is about to change.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Iron Silk Road: Switzerland boosts rail links to China.\u00a0 As many factories in China have returned to normal operations after the recent COVID-19 outbreak, first signs of capacity shortages in both air and sea freight are starting to emerge. To address growing demand in challenging times, RTSB Schweiz AG and Schweizerzug AG have formed an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":234482,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[20,22,21],"class_list":["post-236099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-route-development","tag-china","tag-railway","tag-switzerland"],"yoast_head":"\n