The trans-Siberia ‘Silk Road’ by rail is proving a growth business – as hauling containers between China and Moscow begins to catch on.
According to Russian Railways, the volume of containers transported by the Trans-Siberian railway (TransSib) to and from China rose by 89% between January and October to 66 000 TEU, compared to the same period a year earlier.
It was also pointed out that Transsib transported 131 000 TEU in 2014, or seven times more volume than in 2009.
Also, under ‘the Transsib in 7 Days’ project, Russian Railways has started the new Baikal Shuttle to transport Japanese and Korean cargoes from the port of Yokohama to Moscow.
The big advantage, of course, is 7-day transit rather than 4-weeks by ship – and prices not too far apart.
