25 percent increase in China-Europe railfreight in first two months of year

With our regular rail freight service from China to Europe, the U-Freight Group notes that according to an article on Railfreight.com, freight volumes on the China-Europe rail corridor rose sharply in January and February, with container traffic up 25 per cent year-on-year and train trips increasing 32 per cent.

Our regular rail freight service from China to Europe provides a reliable solution, with regular departures from China to Europe, ensuring your shipments continue moving seamlessly.

The article reports that China State Railway has said 352,100 teu were moved on the route in the first two months of 2026, compared with 281,000 teu a year earlier. The 3,501 train trips represented a 31.7 per cent rise, marking a strong rebound after volumes fell 11 per cent in early 2025.

According to the article, the early-2026 increase was concentrated largely in outbound traffic. Departures from China jumped 47.5 per cent to 1,736 trips in the two-month period, carrying 181,200 teu, a 41 per cent increase. Inbound journeys rose 19.2 per cent to 1,765 trips, carrying 170,900 teu.

The state operator said it has strengthened coordination and optimised scheduling to meet market demand, while also improving digital port systems to speed customs clearance.

The figures precede the outbreak of war in Iran, which has driven up fuel prices and disrupted maritime and air freight. Analysts said the conflict could further boost demand for rail services, which bypass high-risk areas and are less exposed to energy costs.

The early-year surge places the Eurasian land bridge on a stronger footing, with prospects for continued growth as global shippers seek reliable alternatives amid geopolitical and energy market pressures.

U-Freight started our regular service in 2014, consolidating cargo in Xi’an and Wuhan and using the regular services that operate from those railheads to and from railheads in Poland, Germany, and Belgium. We now handle significant consol shipments from China to Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands in particular, as well as smaller volumes to other European countries, handled by our network of long standing agents once the shipments arrive at the three rail freight hubs in Europe.

For FCL shipments our large Chinese presence enables us to arrange container pickup from across the country and select a service from the rail freight gateway that is nearest to our customers.

Our overland rail freight service is clearly demonstrating that it offers a competitive alternative to air freight in regards to price, and considerably faster transit times compared to the ocean freight alternative.

For more information about our overland container rail service between China and Europe, please visit the relevant pages of this website or contact your local office, details of which can be seen here: https://ufreight.com/locations