<span style="font-weight: 400;">The first-ever direct container shipping link between China and Scotland is going to be launched next month by KC Group Shipping.  The express freight route will reduce transit times by almost half.</span>

First ever direct China-Scotland container charter service halves transit times

Departing from various locations in China, a new A.P. Moller - Maersk service now connects China and Europe via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania in about 40 days.

Maersk launches a revamped Middle Corridor rail service from China to Romania

Overloaded warehouses and vessels waiting for loading in the port of Hamburg; these are the effects of Chinese New Year celebrations followed by coronavirus lockdowns in Asian ports. “We are reaching our limits if the situation in the supply chains remains so tense for much longer,” said the port’s spokesperson.

China supply chain woes hit Europe as vessels await loading in Hamburg

A new bi-modal freight connection has been established between China and Europe on 13<sup>th</sup> April by launching a service that traverses the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea via rail-sea combined transportation.

Latest bi-modal freight connection between Germany and China avoids Russian territories

As of mid-January, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has been operating a weekly train on the new silk road between Chongqing and Bremen. The company says the move is a response to the increasing demand for train connections with China.

Hellmann expands Silk Road: new train connection between Bremen and Chongqing

China's transport ministry has said the country's international cargo transport sector <a href="http://www.ecns.cn/news/economy/2021-12-26/detail-ihauemxn3937003.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expanded considerably in the first 11 months of 2021 compared to the year before</a>. 

Number of China-Europe freight trains up 20% compared to 2020

China has announced the establishment of a new state-owned China Logistics Group (CLG), which aims to strengthen its position in international supply chains by developing international trade links and freight services, as well as cross-border e-commerce. China says CLG will help stabilise global supply chains.

China launches state-owned Logistics Group to “stabilise global supply chains”

Geely Holding Group’s commercial vehicle brand, Farizon Auto, <a href="http://zgh.com/media-center/news/2021-11-08/?lang=en#&gid=2&pid=15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has unveiled its “next generation smart new energy semi-truck</a>", named the ‘Homtruck'. The Chinese company says production and first deliveries are planned for early 2024.

Chinese manufacturer unveils ‘Homtruck’ semi-truck with swappable batteries

In the first six months of 2021, 336,500 TEUs were transported from China to the EU via the New Silk Road corridors. This is 50% more than in the first half of last year. Experts predict further increases and rail operators are rubbing their hands with glee.

Container traffic on Eurasian routes increased by 50%. Priority is given to UK connections

Amid demand for goods skyrocketing as lockdowns cease, putting global supply chains under severe strain, the shipping sector is making the most money since 2008, reports Bloomberg.  It now costs $14,287 to haul a 40-foot steel box from China to Europe. That’s up more than 500% compared to a year earlier according to the financial analysis.