The Chinese mainland’s national rail network climbed to 1.3 billion tonnes in freight volume from January to April 2025, marking a 3.6% year-on-year increase, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. This uptick reflects a blend of robust coal flows, rising construction shipments and a surge in cross-border routes.
Coal on Track
Railways moved 672 million tonnes of coal during the period, including 464 million tonnes for power generation. Despite high plant reserves, coal remains the backbone of rail cargo, supporting energy needs across the Chinese mainland.
Building Momentum
Construction materials saw a leap of 29.3%, and metallurgical goods rose 10.7%, as mining and infrastructure projects fuelled demand. Daily loading averaged 180,000 carriages—up 4.7%—underscoring strong domestic logistics.
Multimodal and Container Growth
Rail authorities rolled out 119 multimodal services to cut delivery times and costs. Rail-water container shipments hit 5.38 million TEUs, surging 19.1% and highlighting the push for integrated transport solutions.
Cross-Border Connections
International routes also shone. China-Central Asia freight trains made 4,725 trips (+21%), while the China-Laos Railway carried nearly 2 million tonnes of goods (+7.6%). The China-Europe Railway Express remained stable, reinforcing long-haul links.
As global supply chains evolve, the Chinese mainland’s rail freight performance signals a dynamic leap forward—one that young professionals, entrepreneurs and changemakers will watch as logistics reshape markets worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
