CEVA Logistics has sent the first ever TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) truck from Khorgos, China via Kazakhstan to Europe. The trial run was on November 13, 2018 and was successfully operated as a joint initiative between CEVA Logistics, the IRU (International Road Transportation Union) and CEVA’s partners Alblas and Jet-rail.
CEVA Logistics claims the new service will be 30-50% faster than rail, with a lead time of 10 to 15 days, and will provide a cost saving of 50% compared to air freight.
Arriving on November 24, the 7,000km journey from Khorgos via Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus to Poland took just 11 days to complete with no disruption or customs issues. Operated by CEVA’s partner Alblas International Logistics, the trial showed that the TIR carnet issued in China is accepted in transit countries en-route to Europe.
The international customs transit system TIR became active for the People’s Republic of China in May 2018 allowing China’s Belt & Road Initiative to expand. Since then, CEVA Logistics have been investigating road transport from China to Europe.
Umberto de Pretto, IRU Secretary General, believed that the new route will “boost trade between China and Europe” and will help countries along the route to benefit from the economic and development rewards of international road transport. He also stated it was a “wakeup call to European hauliers who can seize the opportunity to benefit from round trip operations.”
Source: CEVA Logistics
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