The first China-Europe freight train carrying high-end rubber and plastic products departs from Dongchuan Railway Logistics Park in Lanzhou, Gansu province, for Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday. [Photo by Wang Guanghui/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A China-Europe freight train carrying 55 40-foot standard containers of high-end rubber and plastic products departed from Dongchuan Railway Logistics Park in Lanzhou, Gansu province, for Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday, marking the first direct rail export route from Gansu for such products.

The service is part of the China-Europe freight train western corridor, a major land-based route supporting China's westward opening-up and facilitating trade connectivity between Asia and Europe.

The launch also marks an upgrade in Gansu's China-Europe freight train services, shifting from general cargo transportation toward more specialized logistics for high-value exports.

The new route cuts transport time to about 18 days, reducing delivery time by more than 50 percent compared with conventional sea-rail intermodal transport. Unlike traditional shipping, which involves multiple transfers, the direct rail service operates without intermediate handling, improving transport efficiency, supply chain stability and delivery predictability.

The dedicated service is particularly suited to high-end rubber and plastic products, which require strict transportation conditions because they are sensitive to moisture and pressure.

According to Lanzhou LS Group, the manufacturer of the products, the service represents a shift from occasional shipments to larger-scale and more stable exports, strengthening the company's ability to serve overseas customers and expand its presence in European markets.

To support the new route, China Railway Lanzhou Group worked with manufacturers and logistics companies to develop customized transport plans, optimize loading and storage procedures, and improve container organization to ensure safe and efficient transportation.

Lanzhou International Land Port coordinated cargo collection and multimodal logistics services, while railway container operators worked with overseas partners to improve cross-border container circulation and ensure smooth connections between domestic and international transport networks.