On the morning of June 12th, the first China-Laos-Thailand nonstop cross-border train for cold-chain durian arrived in Chongqing. China Logistics Group and Chongqing International Logistics Group, closely partnered with China-Laos Railway Corporation, CR-Chengdu and CR-Kunming, and other organizations, operated a nonstop cross-border train for cold-chain goods. Loaded with 28 refrigerated containers filled with about 500 tons of fresh tropical fruits such as Thai durian and mangosteen, the train took 88 hours, in the mode of door-to-station transportation, opening up a cold-chain logistics channel from the factories in Thailand directly to the sales market in Chengdu and Chongqing.
In May this year, China Logistics Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chongqing municipal government. The two sides started strategic cooperation in promoting the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone, co-building the New International Land-Sea Corridor, pushing forward the establishment of the modern logistics system, tapping into the commodity supply chain, building a high-standard logistics infrastructure system, developing innovative logistics business, among others. In the construction of the China-Laos railway, China Railway Materials, a subsidiary of China Logistics Group, thoroughly implemented the deployment requirements of the leading Party Group of CR, provided integrated services such as supply organization, logistics transportation, and overseas base operations, a creation in the “going out” supply model of Chinese railway materials.
To operate the first China-Laos-Thailand nonstop cross-border train for cold-chain durian, CR Material harnessed its logistics advantage and integrated service capabilities in Laos and Thailand and closely collaborated with all parties. About 500 tons of tropical fruits were delivered from Thailand’s largest durian-producing region, Chanthaburi, on June 7th, into Laos by car, and then directly to Chongqing Xiaonanya Railway Station via the China-Laos Railway. The entire journey took 88 hours. The train to Chongqing Xiaonanya Railway Station from Vientiane South Station in Laos, took only 52 hours. Compared with traditional transport by sea or on land, this trip takes less time, costs less money, and is more efficient. According to Ouyang Bing, General Manager of the Logistics Industry Development Center of China Railway Materials Corporation, all the containers on this train are new 40-foot backpack refrigerated containers, so key information like the temperature and humidity of fruits in this type of container can be monitored in real time through the platform to keep fruit fresh.
It is known that the tropical fruits such as Thai durian transported by this train will be distributed and transferred to Sichuan Province and surrounding areas, and even the national market through Chongqing and Chengdu, laying the market foundation for the regular operation of the subsequent trains. Meanwhile, the successful operation of this train is significant for strengthening in-depth cooperation between domestic and foreign enterprises and facilitating economic and trade exchanges between China and ASEAN countries.
