On Saturday 12 May, the first Silk Road train destined for Antwerp has arrived. The freight train, which had left the Chinese port of Tangshan on 26 April, links China and Antwerp as part of the transnational Chinese ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, with which China seeks to revive the trade routes of the old Silk Road from Asia to Europe.
Belt & Road Initiative provides for enhanced Eurasian connectivity through major infrastructure projects and restoration of the Silk Road, the historic trade route between Europe and the Far East which, in addition to the traditional maritime link, an efficient land bridge link.
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The train left the Chinese port of Tangshan on 26 April and travelled via the border crossing of Alashankou, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland and Germany to reach its final destination, the port of Antwerp, after 16 days and having covered a distance of 11,000 km. It is the fist ever direct train from China to Antwerp.
The service is an initiative of Tangshan City & Tangshan Port, in collaboration with Cosco Shipping Lines and the Chinese Railways (CRCT). Cosco Shipping Belgium, will ensure the forwarding to the end customers.
The train is loaded with 34 containers, including industrial minerals for use in various industries and productions such as paper and ceramics, toothpaste and cosmetics. They are unloaded at Euroports, which will transport them to their bulk terminal for subsequent distribution in Europe.
Luc Arnouts, Director International Networks, Antwerp Port Authority, said:
This direct train link puts our port on the BRI map and will further strengthen our ties with China. We have long been working on this project, which represents an important milestone in our trade relations with China.
The local Chinese government will run a direct train to Antwerp once or twice per month. To this end, Tangshan City is trying for closer cooperation with the Port of Antwerp and intends to sign an MOU/Sisterhood Agreement with the City of Antwerp. CRCT (Chinese Railways) is currently investigating the feasibility of setting up a commercial office in Europe.
