A freight train loaded with containers on a sea-rail intermodal railway line departs Xiamen, Fujian province. LIN SHANCHUAN/XINHUA
The launch of China's first automated dedicated sea-rail intermodal railway line will significantly reduce transit bottlenecks, slash logistics costs and link the country's landlocked hinterlands with global markets, officials and experts said.
The pioneering railway line, featuring a unique design that directly connects the coastline to the terminal, officially launched operations last Thursday in Xiamen, Fujian province.
"The sea-rail intermodal transport at Xiamen ocean gate terminal achieves a seamless connection between trains and ships, solving the persistent challenges of cargo collection and distribution," said Lin Zhicheng, vice-mayor of Xiamen.
"It will extend the port's inland transport capacity, enhance land-sea intermodal channels, and boost the construction of smart ports and the Belt and Road development," Lin said.
