On October 8, the 1,293rd China-Europe Railway Express departed from the Erenhot Railway Port in Inner Mongolia. The train carried auto parts and consumer goods, and it began its journey toward Russia. This milestone means the Middle Corridor exceeded 3,000 train trips in 2024. Moreover, the target was achieved 39 days earlier compared with last year. Erenhot Railway Port has now recorded more than 3,000 annual China-Europe Railway Express trips for three consecutive years.
Erenhot Railway Port Becomes a Key Gateway for the Middle Corridor
Erenhot Railway Port is the only entry-exit railway port along the Middle Corridor. Because of the expanding demand, the number of operating routes has increased to 74. These routes now reach over 70 cities in more than 10 countries, and they also connect most domestic departure hubs. Therefore, Erenhot continues to strengthen its position as a strategic logistics gateway for the China-Europe Railway Express.
Cargo Types Upgrade as High-Value Goods Increase Rapidly
Since the first China-Europe Railway Express train passed through the port in 2013, Erenhot has handled nearly 21,000 trains. At the same time, the cargo structure has changed significantly. High-value products—such as new energy vehicles and advanced machinery—now account for over 40% of shipments, while early-stage shipments of such goods were below 10%. As a result, the railway line has become a crucial channel for “Made in China” products entering global markets.
Digital Systems Improve Efficiency and Lower Logistics Costs
Due to growing cross-border logistics demand, the port has enhanced coordination between railway authorities, local governments, and enterprises. Through an “interconnection mechanism,” teams can track cargo needs in real time. This approach simplifies documentation, accelerates cargo flow, and lowers overall logistics costs.
According to the Erenhot Station technical director, the port relies on a digital-port system to promote paperless customs clearance. It also improves the container unloading process and expands dedicated operation lines. With scientific scheduling and precise loading, the Middle Corridor trains achieve stable and efficient operation throughout the year.
Strong Growth in Train Volume and Cargo Transport in 2024
Data shows that in the first nine months of 2024, Erenhot Railway Port handled:
- 2,909 China-Europe Railway Express trains
- 3.749 million tons of cargo
- 330,600 TEUs
These numbers increased by 11.2%, 14.4%, and 10.5% year-on-year. Meanwhile, return-trip trains accounted for 50.6%, showing a strong 22.6% annual increase. This balanced flow highlights the growing two-way demand between China and Europe.
