In the first seven months of the year, rail freight volumes along the New Silk Road fell by 25.4% year-on-year to 170,700 TEU. According to the Eurasian Rail Alliance Index, the bulk of freight continues to be shipped from China to Poland, but volumes there also fell by 17% to 138,800 TEU.
Particularly significant declines were recorded on the China-Germany and China-Belgium routes, down 68% (to 6,100 TEU) and 79% (to 1,500 TEU), respectively. Germany leads in export traffic, despite a 29% decline (to 16,400 TEU), followed by Poland, with a moderate decline of 3% (to 6,000 TEU).
Experts attribute the decline to China’s tightening market policies, rising tariffs, and political risks, including the potential closure of border crossings between Poland and Belarus.