Russian Railways Logistics, in cooperation with its subsidiary YuXinOu (Chongqing) Logistics Co. Ltd., sent the first container train using the CIM/SMGS common consignment note from China to Europe.
The multi-client train consisting of 42 forty-foot containers and carrying shipments from Acer, ASUS and other manufacturers left Chongqing (China) on 31 October, bound for Poland and Germany.
Kaztransservice (Kazakhstan) and Belintertrans (Belarus) participated in this forwarding project as transit partners to Russian Railways Logistics.
“The introduction of the CIM/SMGS common consignment note is the result of two years of work by the railway administrations of all transit countries,” stated Pavel Sokolov, CEO of Russian Railways Logistics. “Shippers save transit time thanks to a decrease in container demurrage at border stations.”
Moreover, this document reduces customer spending on freight forwarding. The client is usually charged for re-issuing the CIM consignment note to replace the SMGS note for each shipment at the border stations. The CIM/SMGS common consignment note eliminates these extra payments.
The common consignment note is a customs document provided in paper and electronic format and based on the EU requirement for prior authorisation.
RZDL coordinates interaction between companies participating in freight forwarding. Special attention is given to transit areas between standard and broad-gauge railways, e.g. Dostyk station in Kazakhstan and Malaszewicze station in Poland.
Development of the China-Europe corridor will lead to forwarding being sped up by two days and further expand the potential client base on this route.
The joint venture involving YuXinOu (Chongqing) Logistics Co. Ltd, founded by the Transport Holding Chongqing (CQCT), China Railway International Multimodal Transport (CRIMT), JSC Russian Railways Logistics, Schenker China Ltd. and JSC Kaztransservice, was registered in Chongqing (China) in May 2012. RZD Logistics owns 16.3% of the share capital of the joint venture. The main activity of YuXinOu is operating regular container transport by rail from Asia (Chongqing, China) to Europe (Duisburg, Germany). The company provides freight forwarding, customs clearance, advice and other services related to international container train transport. The final goal of the joint venture is to create a logistics company with 3 PL door-to-door services.
(Source: RZD Logistics)
