The X9216 freight train loaded with consumer lithium battery products and daily goods departs from Yiwuxi Railway Station. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]
The X9216 freight train loaded with consumer lithium battery products and daily goods departed from Yiwuxi Railway Station in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on June 17, heading to Almaty, Kazakhstan, which marked the first mixed shipment of consumer lithium batteries in the Yangtze River Delta.
Lithium batteries are widely used in power tools, remote controls, electronic toys, and other devices, but previously relied on air or sea due to safety regulations and cost concerns.
Hangzhou Railway Logistics Center distributed illustrated guides outlining terms of transportation of consumer lithium batteries in advance. On June 13, joint teams including the center, Shanghai Railway Group's logistics department, and Yiwu Customs visited enterprises to supervise container loading procedures, verifying certifications and inspecting packaging standards to ensure the safe shipment throughout the route.
This innovation enhances flexibility in cargo stowage of the Zhejiang China-Europe freight train service and expands its service capabilities.
Soon, training programs covering package specification, loading plan, and emergency response will be rolled out while the China-Europe freight train service will coordinate with railway and customs departments to upgrade systems related to the shipment model.
Up to now, Zhejiang China-Europe freight train service has completed over 5,300 round trips, delivering more than 440,000 TEUs, valued at nearly $15 billion.
More and more products from Central Asia including precious metals and textile materials come into China by train while new energy vehicles, lithium cells, and more are accelerating the entry into the Central Asian market.
