One Commission, One Container and One Bill Throughout Chongqing Becomes ASEAN-Europe Logistics Hub with Breakthrough "ASEAN Express" Service

At 9:40 AM local time on June 21 in Germany, a China-Europe Railway Express (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) train loaded with maternal and infant products, cosmetics and medical consumables departed from Duisburg. The shipment will first arrive in Chongqing, then transfer to the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor rail-sea intermodal train bound for Vietnam, with the entire journey taking approximately 19 days.

This transport model, named the "ASEAN Express", is an innovative logistics solution pioneered by Chongqing that bridges the "last-mile" connection between the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. It features "One Commission by the Client, One Container and One Bill Throughout", significantly streamlining cross-border logistics processes and enhancing transport efficiency.

"The 'ASEAN Express' creates new opportunities for Chongqing to deepen industrial and supply chain cooperation with ASEAN and European regions", stated an official from the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government.

Why did Chongqing develop this model? What's the story behind it?

Question: Lack of Smooth Coordination Between the Two Major Channels

As the operating origin of the China-Europe Railway Express and one of the initiators of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Chongqing has been actively promoting the coordinated development of these two major international trade routes in recent years.

According to data released by YUXINOU (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "YUXINOU"), in the first half of 2024 alone, the China-Europe Railway Express (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor trains departing from Chongqing jointly transported 1,800 TEUs of goods. This enabled products such as Polish dairy products and Kazakhstani wheat to be distributed to Southeast Asia via Chongqing.

However, this coordination is still not "smooth" enough.

The reason lies in the fact that YUXINOU operates the China-Europe Railway Express, while the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "NLS") manages the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. The two entities are responsible for different routes, serve distinct missions, and cater to different customer bases.

Therefore, previous collaboration between the two channels primarily involved each operator independently engaging with customers before using Chongqing as a "connection point" for coordination. This meant that companies seeking to transport goods from Europe to ASEAN needed to negotiate separately with both operators.

He Daoguo, President of LJML Logistics Group, experienced this firsthand. On one occasion, when LJML Logistics needed to ship products from Vietnam to Germany, they first coordinated with NLS to transport the goods from ASEAN to Chongqing. Then, in Chongqing, they worked with YUXINOU to reorganize the cargo before dispatching it to Europe.

"Dealing with two companies means some procedures and paperwork have to be completed twice", He Daoguo explained. Until all formalities are finalized, the goods must be temporarily stored in Chongqing - not only complicating the process but also increasing time and logistical costs.

This is not an isolated case. In recent years, due to regional conflicts and other factors, international supply chains have faced significant challenges, with unstable shipping costs and efficiency. Meanwhile, as ASEAN emerges as a rapidly growing economy, its exchanges with Europe have gradually increased. Consequently, many enterprises require a logistics route that offers strong stability, low comprehensive costs, and simple, convenient procedures to facilitate smoother cargo movement between ASEAN and Europe.

"Chongqing has recognized this market demand", said Liu Taiping, Executive Director and General Manager of YUXINOU and Chairman of NLS. Chongqing possesses two international trade corridors to the west and south. By integrating the logistics resources of the two companies to create a "joint product" linking the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, the two logistics channels can transition from their previous "separate operations" to collaborative management.

Thus, the concept of the "ASEAN Express" was born.

Measures: Breaking Barriers through Collaboration

The key to eliminating the disconnection between the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor lies in integrated transport planning.

Previously, when the two companies provided transport services to clients, they operated on different route segments and schedules, inevitably resulting in two separate transport plans. However, if a client interfaces with just one entity, they can receive a unified "Europe-Chongqing-ASEAN" route plan jointly developed by both companies - naturally dissolving the original barriers.

In July 2024, following this approach, Yuxinou and NLS conducted a trial run with a Thai company shipping goods to Germany via all-rail international trains.

"Both companies collaboratively designed the transport solutions for the ASEAN-Chongqing and Chongqing-Europe segments", explained Liu Taiping. Critical details - such as transfer timelines and cargo space preparation - were coordinated in advance. For example, NLS notified YUXINOU of the estimated arrival time in Chongqing, enabling the latter to prepare for immediate transloading and dispatch to Europe after the cargo was regrouped.

In September of the same year, with support from China State Railway Group (China Railway) and customs authorities along the route, the trial run of the "ASEAN Express" (Laem Chabang, Thailand - Chongqing, China - Duisburg, Germany) was successfully launched. The entire journey took approximately 24 days - 4 days faster than previous coordinated transport between the two channels.

Following this, Chongqing analyzed issues identified during the test phase and intensified market promotion. Meanwhile, both companies (YUXINOU and NLS) began jointly promoting the service under the "ASEAN Express" brand. Regardless of which company clients booked with, they could access seamless end-to-end services from both operators.

On October 15, 2024, Chongqing officially launched the first scheduled "ASEAN Express" service. Departing from Hanoi, Vietnam, the shipment arrived at Chongqing's Tuanjie Village Station on October 20 for regrouping. After clearance by Yuzhou Customs, it boarded the China-Europe Railway Express (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) the same day, bound for Malaszewicze, Poland, with a total transit time of 25 days.

With this, the "ASEAN Express" was declared operational success.

Liu Taiping stated that the "ASEAN Express" transports goods from ASEAN to Europe in approximately 19 days - 50% faster than traditional ocean shipping - while offering greater reliability and reducing risks associated with delays or disruptions, making it highly popular in the market.

As of May this year, the "ASEAN Express" has handled cargo worth over RMB1.9 billion and launched three routes: Duisburg, Germany - Chongqing - Laos, Duisburg, Germany - Chongqing - Vietnam, and Duisburg, Germany - Chongqing - Thailand. The shipments cover high-end manufacturing sectors such as complete vehicles & parts, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and home appliances, as well as daily consumer goods.

Additionally, the "ASEAN Express" has gradually developed a sound consolidation and distribution network system by integrating resources from both the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. This system now covers over 40 overseas warehouses across more than 20 Eurasian countries and regions - including Germany, Hungary, Poland, Thailand and Laos - with one self-owned overseas warehouse.

Effect: Widespread Acclaim from ASEAN and Europe

The operational performance of the "ASEAN Express" has garnered strong market recognition, receiving high praise from both ASEAN and Europe.

"The launch of the 'ASEAN Express' has further enhanced the connectivity between Indochinese Peninsula and Europe via China", said Zheng Zhisheng, Vice Chairman of the China-Laos Business Cooperation Promotion Committee under the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He emphasized that the "ASEAN Express" will inject strong momentum into regional cooperation and create broader market prospects for partners.

Johannes Philipper, Chief Operating Officer of Rail at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Germany, noted that the "ASEAN Express" allows Hellmann to extend its network and expand its business reach into more Asian countries. Similarly, Lars Nennhaus, Board Member of the Duisburger Hafen AG, stated that the "ASEAN Express" will bring new energy to cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Chongqing as the "Operator" reaps significant benefits.

From a trade perspective, ASEAN is currently Chongqing's largest trading partner, while European countries such as Germany and the UK are also key counterparts. The "ASEAN Express" has significantly facilitated economic and trade exchanges between Chongqing and these regions.

For instance, LJML Logistics is now exploring ways to transport ASEAN fruits, rice and other products to Europe more efficiently through this service.

On a broader level of opening-up, Chongqing has established a four-direction logistics network (east, south, west and north) and developed a "rail-road-water-air freight" multimodal transport system. As the city accelerates its development as an inland comprehensive open hub to further deepen cross-channel collaboration, the "ASEAN Express" provides innovative solutions and operational models for Chongqing to address the "last-mile" challenges in seamless multimodal connectivity.

"The 'ASEAN Express' is a fascinating concept and a highly innovative product", said Jiang Xiaobing, Secretary-General of the Chongqing International Logistics and Port Service Association. He emphasized that it represents an active and effective exploration in Chongqing's efforts to develop international trade corridors, while also providing a new logistics solution for Europe-ASEAN connectivity, bolstering Chongqing's role as a trans-Eurasia international transit hub.

Liu Taiping further noted that the launch of the "ASEAN Express" demonstrates Chongqing's commitment to advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and deepening global cooperation. It strengthens ties between China, ASEAN member states and European nations, while fostering trade and cultural exchanges along the route.

"With the 'ASEAN Express', Chongqing is poised to become the 'Pivotal Junction' for ASEAN-Europe transport, significantly elevating its status and influence in global logistics", Liu Taiping concluded.

Source: Chongqing Daily