Intermodal Rail Services in International Freight Forwarding Analysis of CEEV's Benefits and Operational Challenges

The Advantages and Operational Challenges of International Freight Forwarding Railway Services The Case of China-Europe Express Trains

In recent years, with the continuous development of global trade, the importance of international freight forwarding railway services has become increasingly prominent. Among them, the China-Europe Express Train has gradually emerged as a new force in the field of international logistics due to its unique advantages. However, in actual operations, the China-Europe Express Train also faces certain difficulties. This article will explore the advantages and operational challenges of the China-Europe Express Train based on recent news reports.

I. Advantages of the China-Europe Express Train

1. Fast Transportation Unlike sea transportation, which requires long periods of port waiting and sea voyages, the China-Europe Express Train can directly deliver goods to their destination. Compared with air transport, the cost of rail transport is lower while the delivery time is shorter.

2. High Safety Rail transport offers better security for cargo and risk management compared to road transport. In regions with adverse weather or poor road conditions, the advantages of rail transport are even more apparent.

3. Extensive Coverage The China-Europe Express Train has established a relatively complete transportation network covering multiple countries and regions in Europe, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, etc. This provides international freight forwarders with a broader logistics space.

II. Operational Challenges of the China-Europe Express Train

1. High Transport Costs Although the cost of the China-Europe Express Train is relatively low, high initial investments such as constructing railways and purchasing rolling stock result in higher operating costs. Due to the special nature of rail transport, additional costs such as bridge and road tolls may need to be considered in some areas.

2. Coordination Difficulties Railway transport involves coordination among multiple departments and institutions. For instance, communication, coordination, and cooperation with railway departments of countries, as well as coordination with cargo owners regarding communication, scheduling, and delivery, require significant time and effort, and necessitate high professional expertise and communication skills.

3. Lack of Transparent Logistics Information Due to the involvement of multiple countries and regions in the China-Europe Express Train, differences in logistics information management methods across each country and region make it difficult to achieve real-time sharing and transparency of logistics information. This brings certain troubles and inconveniences to cargo owners and freight forwarders.

To address these challenges, improvements and optimizations must be made from multiple aspects. First, policy support and guidance should be strengthened to promote the standardized and standardized development of the China-Europe Express Train. Second, technological research and application should be enhanced to improve the informatization level of the China-Europe Express Train, achieving real-time sharing and transparency of logistics information. International cooperation and exchanges should also be strengthened to promote transnational cooperation and coordinated development of the China-Europe Express Train.

In conclusion, the China-Europe Express Train, as an important form of international freight forwarding railway service, possesses unique advantages and broad development prospects. However, it also faces certain difficulties and challenges in practical operations. Only through continuous improvement and optimization can the role of the China-Europe Express Train be better utilized, making greater contributions to the development of global trade and the logistics sector.