INTERNATIONAL: Nurminen Logistics’ first full-length container service from China to central Europe via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route left Chongqing on May 10. The containers will travel by rail through Kazakhstan to the port of Aktau, across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan and then by rail to Georgia for shipping across the Black Sea to Romania.
This route avoids Russia, where Nurminen Logistics closed its office ‘for the time being’ following the invasion of Ukraine, and it is expected to be three times faster than sea freight from China to Europe.
Nurminen worked with Kazakh national railway KTZ to set up the service in two months, saying this showed its ’extensive expertise and ability to react quickly to customer needs in a changing global logistics field’.
‘Opening the route required strong confidence from China Railways in our operations and, above all, our customers’ trust in us’, said the Finnish company’s CEO Olli Pohjanvirta when the first train set off. ‘Nurminen’s international railway team also showed excellent expertise and implementation in a difficult and fast-paced situation.’
The inaugural train was full, with the goods being moved including industrial components, jacuzzis and outdoor sports equipment to meet summer demand.
The next departure is scheduled for May 25 and has only a few spaces left. To meet high demand, weekly departures are scheduled to begin in June.
