Freight volumes on China-Vietnam cross-border trains saw explosive growth in 2024, the China Railway Nanning Bureau Group Co Ltd said.

A staggering 1,153 percent year-on-year growth in freight volumes was seen, with a total of 19,670 twenty-foot equivalent units of goods shipped from South China"s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the bureau reported.

The freight trains reach 25 provinces, regions and municipalities across China, with cross-border goods covering multiple members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, significantly boosting trade between China and ASEAN.

The variety of goods transported by the China-Vietnam freight trains has also expanded significantly.

Initially limited to basic construction materials and light industrial products, the trains now carry a diverse range of goods, including high-end electronics, precision machinery, daily necessities, and a wide array of agricultural products. The total number of product categories transported has reached 262.

Some of the most notable increases in cargo volumes were observed in plate materials, mixed goods, and chemical products, with year-on-year increases of 103 times, 35 times, and 12 times, respectively.

The Nanning International Railway Port has emerged as a crucial logistics hub for rail freight between China and Vietnam, handling 68 percent of heavy-duty vehicles and 84 percent of containerized goods exported from China to Vietnam by rail.

To further facilitate trade between China and ASEAN, the Nanning Bureau has implemented several initiatives, including combined road-rail transport services and "railway + railway" intermodal freight services.

These services aggregate goods destined for Vietnam from regions outside Guangxi, such as generator set parts from Chongqing, polyvinyl chloride from Qinghai, and decorative paper from Suzhou, at the Nanning International Railway Port for outward shipment.

The Nanning Bureau operates regular China-Vietnam cross-border fast Customs clearance trains every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, providing stable transport capacity for the market.

Additional trains are added based on extra demand, effectively achieving daily operations since July last year.

"Our company ships large quantities of mixed goods, such as furniture, home appliances, and ceramic tiles, to Dong Dang and Yen Vien in Vietnam. Utilizing the China-Vietnam freight train service saves us considerable time and helps us expand our overseas business," said Li Na, business manager of Nanning Transportation Logistics Group Co Ltd.

The company, which specializes in domestic and international road freight transport, began using the China-Vietnam freight trains for cross-border shipments in July.

"We have expanded our reach from Vietnam to other ASEAN members like Cambodia and Thailand," Li added.

The safe and stable operations of the China-Vietnam freight trains provide robust transport support for cross-border trade between China and ASEAN.

The Nanning Bureau plans to invest in upgrading and renovating freight facilities at the Nanning International Railway Port and the Pingxiang Railway Port Logistics Center this year.

This will further enhance the operational quality of the China-Vietnam freight trains, providing even better service for trade between China and ASEAN.

By ZHANG LI in Nanning