RTSB has successfully launched two new milestone departures on the Silk Road rail freight corridor, expanding its intermodal network between Duisburg and Chengdu with extended access into Southeast Asia. The new connections strengthen RTSB’s position as a key operator in China–Europe rail logistics, offering reliable, sustainable alternatives to ocean freight. Both departures are designed for high-frequency service and are integrated into RTSB’s growing Eurasian transit portfolio, reducing transit times and offering seamless cargo solutions across the entire route.
On Monday, July 7, the first Chengdu-Europe Express train departed eastbound from Duisburg, officially opening a new, high-frequency rail corridor between the European logistics hub and the dynamic southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chengdu.
This service strengthens eastbound rail capacity from Europe and plays a key role in the long-term resilience of trans-Eurasian supply chains. As operator of the train, RTSB ensures seamless, multimodal coordination from the Duisburg Gateway Terminal to the Chinese hinterland.
The train is loaded with electronics, pharmaceuticals, milk powder, German automobiles, and European specialty goods — a cross-section of high-value cargo that reflects the increasing trust placed in rail for long-distance, time-sensitive freight.
With stable schedules, consistent transit times, and customs-efficient routing, the Chengdu-Europe Express reinforces Duisburg’s position as a central departure point on the modern Silk Road.
Just a few days earlier, on June 21, the first ASEAN Express train from Duisburg was launched, setting a new benchmark in west–east intercontinental logistics. This innovative rail service connects Europe to Southeast Asia via Chongqing and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, integrating inland China with ASEAN maritime ports.
With this launch, new market access to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond is opened up— using a scalable multimodal model that combines rail, port, and short-sea connections. The train departs Duisburg with diverse European exports and transitions to sea in southern China, reaching final destinations across the ASEAN region.
The ASEAN Express is the first regular train from Europe aligned with this corridor, and represents a powerful, future-oriented alternative to traditional trade routes.
By operating both the Chengdu-Europe Express and the ASEAN Express, RTSB is actively shaping the next generation of Silk Road logistics – building smarter corridors, expanding reach, and connecting continents with precision.
