Train Transportation: The Middle Ground Between Sea and Air

In recent years, train transportation has gained serious traction in logistics. While sea and air freight remain the obvious choices for many companies, that doesn’t mean trains should be overlooked. In fact, rail freight often offers the perfect balance between speed, cost, and sustainability.

The Silk Road: From History to Modern Logistics

When you hear Silk Road, you might think of silk, spices, or porcelain being carried from East to West centuries ago. In reality, the Silk Road wasn’t a single route but a network of trade connections linking China to the Mediterranean, by both land and sea.

Fast-forward to today: railways are the modern Silk Road, connecting China and Europe in record times. Since the first Almaty–Ürümqi rail link in 1994, connections have multiplied. Today, trains can travel from Yiwu (China) to London in just 16 days.

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the New Silk Road (also known as the Belt and Road Initiative). This massive infrastructure project aims to boost cooperation between Asia, Europe, and Africa through improved transport networks.

It’s considered one of the largest infrastructure investments in history, impacting two-thirds of the world’s population and nearly half of global GDP. And for businesses like yours, it means more reliable and faster options for moving goods by rail.

Advantages of train transportation

Why should companies consider rail freight? Here are the biggest reasons:

• Balanced cost and speed
  Sea freight is economical but slow (30+ days). Air freight is lightning-fast (less than 24 hours) but costly. Rail strikes a middle ground: 16–18 days on average.

• Environmentally friendly
  Studies show trains generate significantly fewer CO₂ emissions than air, road, or even sea.

• Reliable schedules
  Unlike passenger trains, freight trains rarely suffer delays. Rail operates on direct routes, reducing risk and ensuring goods arrive on time.

Disadvantages of Train Transportation

Of course, no mode of transport is perfect. Here are the main drawbacks:

• Limited reach
  Trains only go where tracks exist. Often, extra trucking is required to complete deliveries.

• Additional handling
  Since trains don’t serve every factory or warehouse directly, cargo often needs first-mile or last-mile transport.

• Higher costs for small volumes
  Rail makes the most sense with larger shipments. Groupage options exist, but sending just one or two pallets can be relatively expensive.

When Is Train Transportation the Right Choice?

Choosing rail depends on three key questions:

1. Where are your goods coming from and going to?
   If you’re shipping between China and Europe, rail could be ideal.

2. How urgent is the delivery?
   If sea freight takes too long but air freight is too costly, rail offers a good compromise.

3. What’s your budget?
   Rail is cost-effective for medium-to-large shipments, especially if you want to cut lead times without paying air rates.

Train Transport at Berkman Forwarding

While rail freight may not be as common as sea or air, it’s a proven and growing alternative. At Berkman Forwarding, we help businesses navigate the rail option with ease, offering reliable schedules, groupage solutions, and expert guidance.

Curious if rail transport fits your business needs? Get in touch with our team of specialists—we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.

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