Davies Turner reports that its fixed-day, weekly direct rail import service from China to the UK will re-commence in mid-March.
Tony Cole, head of supply chain services at the company said: “Our Express China Rail Service did not operate during the Chinese New Year holiday break and its suspension has been extended due to the Covid-19 coronavirus. With Wuhan continuing to be under lockdown and the re-opening of factories there recently postponed until March 11th, the rail service will now depart from the Xi’an rail hub, directly into Duisburg in Germany. Containers will be then trucked under bond to the port of Rotterdam and transported by ferry to Purfleet, on the River Thames for on-carriage by truck to Davies Turner’s distribution centre, near Dartford, east of London, where they will be discharged, customs cleared and delivered.”
The transit time between Xi’an and Duisburg is approximately 18 days. From March 13th, the company plans to offer a single weekly departure, which could rise to twice-weekly departures, depending on demand.
Cole added: “At this time, we have rail bookings for glass frames, plastic film, metal parts, tooling, and fashion goods. Our closing date for receipt of cargo for the initial departure from Xi’an is not until March 9th, and we expect further bookings to be received. Since we launched the dedicated weekly direct consolidation service in November 2018 bookings have increased continually. The service offers a cheaper alternative to air freight, and faster transit times compared to the sea freight alternative.”
Source: Davies Turner