On August 1, 2023, the inaugural container train from Tianjin to Inner Mongolia officially set off, marking the launch of the 'New Port - Suji' service. This new route is expected to reduce road transport and increase the proportion of railway transport, potentially decreasing the use of 66,000 vehicles and lowering overall costs by 15%.
The container congestion issue at the Port of Vancouver is severe. Canadian National Railway (CN) demonstrates strong transportation efficiency, while CPKC faces multiple challenges. Meanwhile, the container throughput at Prince Rupert and Halifax steadily increases, highlighting both the potential and areas for improvement in rail transport. Collaborative efforts across the industry are essential to address these challenges.
Yingkou Port actively participates in the Belt and Road initiative, with a 4% increase in throughput in the first three quarters. Both foreign trade and container volumes have significantly risen, and new international trains to Europe have been launched, establishing a sea-rail intermodal network that enhances its role as a key transit hub in Northeast Asia. Domestic trade routes cover over 30 ports with 420 flights, promoting the port's digital transformation and integration into cross-border e-commerce. Yingkou Port demonstrates great development potential, contributing to regional economic growth.
The successful inaugural run of COSCO SHIPPING's "East China-Wuhan-Andijan" China-Central Asia Railway Express marks the full opening of a new cross-border transportation channel from East China to Central Asia. Leveraging the sea-rail intermodal advantages of Wuhan Port, this train provides a stable and controllable logistics route for the export of bulk commodities such as steel from East and Central China to Central Asia. It supports the opening-up of inland regions by offering a reliable transportation solution to facilitate trade between these areas and Central Asia.
The National Development and Reform Commission released the "Innovation-Driven Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Plan for the Yangtze River Economic Belt," signaling trillion-level investment opportunities. Logistics companies should seize this opportunity to participate in infrastructure construction, develop river-sea intermodal transport, promote smart logistics, and provide professional services around key industries. This will enable them to achieve transformation and upgrading, and share the development dividends of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
The Seattle Port, located in Washington State, is a crucial international trading port in the United States, connecting the West Coast with the Asia-Pacific region, handling an annual throughput of 20 million tons. The port consists of both inner and outer harbor sections, featuring multiple container and bulk cargo terminals, and possesses efficient intermodal transport capabilities, further solidifying its position as the closest port in North America to the Far East.
GlobalTranz executive Ross Spanier offers an in-depth analysis of the pandemic's impact on supply chains, highlighting shipper anxiety, regional disparities, container shortages, inventory management challenges, capacity fluctuations, and intermodal transport difficulties. He emphasizes the critical role of technological innovation, adaptability, and collaboration in navigating the crisis. Spanier underscores the necessity of building more resilient supply chains to withstand future disruptions. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities, requiring businesses to rethink their strategies and prioritize agility.
In cross-border logistics, the China-Europe Railway Express and road transportation each have their advantages. Rail transport is suitable for long distances and standardized goods, offering lower costs and reduced carbon emissions. Road transport provides greater flexibility, ideal for short distances and non-standardized cargo. Businesses should comprehensively consider factors such as cost, time efficiency, and the characteristics of the goods when choosing the most suitable solution. A balanced approach leveraging the strengths of both modes is often optimal for efficient and cost-effective cross-border shipping.
The Intermodal Association of North America reports a 2.8% year-over-year increase in total North American intermodal loadings in Q3 2025, a high since 2021. Domestic containers showed steady growth, while international containers rebounded strongly. A tightening truckload market favors intermodal. While challenges remain, the long-term outlook for the market is optimistic.
U.S. multimodal freight volume fell by 4.1% year-over-year in November, continuing the decline seen in October. This reflects the impact of multiple factors, including a global economic slowdown, trade frictions, and weakening consumer demand. This data suggests potential challenges to economic growth in the coming months. Businesses and governments should closely monitor market dynamics and respond flexibly.
