Kerry Logistics launches rail and road freight service from Lanzhou to Pakistan

Nov 20, 2018: Following the opening of its new subsidiary in Pakistan and in order to expand its freight capability from China to South Asia, Kerry Logistics has launched its first rail and road multimodal freight service from Lanzhou, China to Islamabad, Pakistan.

The first rail and road freight service from Lanzhou to Islamabad, operated by Kerry Logistics’ member company Lanzhou Pacific Logistics Corporation Limited (‘LPL’), departed Lanzhou by block train on October 23, 2018, and travelled 3,300 kilometres to the Kashgar Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Xinjiang.

From there, goods were transferred to trucks which covered the remaining 1,200 kilometres to Islamabad. The journey, totalling 4,500 km and reaching altitudes of 5,000 m (16,400 ft), was completed in just 13 days, an impressive 15 days fewer than conventional ocean-road freight. The first shipment included mechanical equipment, auto parts, commodities, and snow melting agent.

The new multimodal freight solution between Lanzhou and Islamabad is set to become a regular service in 2019.

This move is also aimed at deepening trade cooperation along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Edwardo Erni, managing director – China and North Asia of Kerry Logistics said: “As we continue to expand our capabilities and implement our development blueprint of capturing the opportunities along the Belt and Road trade route, we are thrilled to launch this new service that offers a significantly time-saving option to our customers.”

Kerry Logistics introduced the new cross-border rail and trucking services from China through Kazakhstan to Caucasus and Turkey in June 2018, and has heightened its focus on the CPEC, offering freight services from multiple regions in China through Kashgar and Sost to Islamabad, Lahore and even Karachi in Pakistan through LPL.