'Record demand' for LCL cargo driving China-Europe rail volumes upwards

China-Europe rail freight volumes saw another uptick last month, helped by “record demand” for LCL cargo.

According to China Railway, there were 12,000 train trips between January and September, with volumes increasing to 1.18m teu, up 8% year on year.

By comparison, throughput for the first eight months was 1.02m teu.

The volume growth marks a steady turnaround since the initial shock of the war in Ukraine and subsequent western boycott of Russian supply chains.

Igor Tambaca, MD of Rail Bridge Cargo, said rail freight was still suffering a quieter peak season compared with previous years, but added: “Still, LCL orders have never been so high.