Since 2022, the development of China Railway Express has accelerated. On December 18, the first train of the China Railway Express (Qilu) South Channel "Cross-Two Seas" line operated by Shandong Hi-Speed Group departed from the Shanghai Cooperation Demonstration Zone and headed for Koper, the largest port in Slovenia. The expansion of this new line marks the successful operation of the "cross-two-sea" line (Caspian Sea, Black Sea), and further expands the international logistics channel in the direction of Europe.

This train is fully loaded with new energy vehicles, solar modules, daily necessities and other goods, the value of which is about 12 million yuan. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and other countries cross the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, and are expected to arrive in Koper in about 30 days, and will eventually be distributed to Western European countries by railway. This route is another new route to Europe through the southern channel after the "Qilu" opened the route across the Caspian Sea via Azerbaijan and Turkey to Europe.

The "cross-sea" line adopts the "iron-water-iron-water-iron" multimodal transport method to help create a new trade channel connecting Shandong Province with Europe, and expand the scope of radiation to Central and Western Asia, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and other coastal countries. Further expand the radiation capacity of the "Qilu" overseas passage, and effectively improve the anti-risk ability of the overseas passage of the train. The freight transported by the train arrived in Koper, Slovenia for the first time, which also expanded the "Qilu" circle of friends. The number of international operating routes increased to 53, reaching 55 cities in 24 countries along the Belt and Road. Editor/Xu Shengpeng