Since 2026, the railway system has fully implemented the deployment of the Central Economic Work Conference, continuously improved the logistics service categories, and enhanced the market influence of railway logistics brands. In the first four months of 2026, the total volume of national railway freight in China reached 1.31 billion tons, an increase of 0.9% compared to the same period last year; The daily loading volume reached 183800 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 2%. The freight business achieved synchronous improvement in scale and quality, effectively reducing the overall logistics expenses of society and stabilizing the overall economic development.

High quality and efficient supply of logistics products

Relying on the Multimodal Transport Development Alliance led by China Railway Group, the railway department deepens its collaborative cooperation with various logistics enterprises and vigorously promotes the development of iron rail intermodal transport business. The one-stop intermodal transportation service implemented covers key ports along the domestic coast and the Yangtze River, achieving integrated and convenient transportation throughout the entire process. In the first four months, the intermodal transportation of iron and steel completed 5.957 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 10.7%, and the booking volume of one-stop intermodal transportation reached 35700 TEUs. At the same time, we will steadily promote the passenger oriented freight train and container transportation mode, open intercity freight dedicated lines and special cold chain, specialized and new customized trains, enrich the types of freight services, and increase the railway container freight volume by 10.4% year-on-year during the same period.

Continuous improvement of railway logistics service quality

Focusing on the actual transportation demand in the market, we vigorously promote integrated comprehensive logistics services, deeply embed them into the enterprise supply chain system, and create a safe, convenient, and economically efficient full process freight model. Within this year, we have signed more than a thousand logistics general contracting agreements, with a total freight volume of 1.13 billion tons. Relying on the railway online freight platform to expand door-to-door delivery services, the total freight volume dominated by the main line in the first four months reached 168 million tons, a significant increase of 116% year-on-year. In addition, multiple logistics and financial supporting services have been launched to alleviate the pressure of enterprise capital turnover and further simplify the freight transaction process.

Strong transportation support for key national economy and people's livelihood materials

Relying on the advantages of coordinated allocation of the national railway network, priority will be given to ensuring the transportation of key materials for people's livelihood and industry, and coordinated allocation of transportation capacity will accelerate the delivery of materials. Actively collaborate with large enterprises such as coal and ports, guide the shift of bulk cargo transportation from road transportation to railway transportation, and optimize the transportation structure. In the first four months, 679 million tons of coal were transported by railway, including 454 million tons for electricity, ensuring sufficient coal storage for power plants; The transportation volume of grain, agricultural inputs and fertilizers, and industrial smelting raw materials increased by 11.3%, 11.1%, and 2.7% respectively year-on-year, fully ensuring the supply of people's livelihood and industrial production.

The development level of China Europe freight trains is steadily improving

Strengthen communication and coordination with overseas railway operation units, scientifically plan border port train passage plans, optimize cross-border cargo handover efficiency, and ensure smooth cross-border logistics channels. In the first four months of 2026, a total of 12213 China Europe and Central Asia freight trains were operated, a year-on-year increase of 13.4%. Among them, 7366 China Europe freight trains were operated, a year-on-year increase of 22%, and 4847 Central Asia freight trains were operated, a year-on-year increase of 2.6%. The line is closely linked with the China Laos railway freight transport and the new land and sea channel in the west to facilitate cross-border trade and facilitate the country's opening up. Keywords: Engineering Construction, Construction News, Engineering Information

Next, China Railway Group will continue to improve the modern railway logistics operation system, innovate freight service models, enhance the brand of the railway logistics industry, accurately empower the development of the real economy, and add strong momentum to connect domestic and international two-way circulation channels and stabilize the momentum of economic development.Editor/Gong Ziwei