Cargo traffic up 0.9 percent, intermodal transport up 10.7 percent, 35,700 TEU under the single-document system, and end-to-end tracking like a parcel

As reported by CCTV+, China’s national railway network handled 1.31 billion tons of cargo in the first four months of the year. That is 0.9 percent more than a year ago. The growth was driven by the “single bill of lading” logistics service, which effectively helped reduce logistics costs.

In April, China Railway led the creation of the China Multimodal Transport Development Alliance. The goal is to strengthen cooperation with logistics companies and accelerate the development of rail-water intermodal transport. The single bill of lading service now covers domestic freight stations across the country, as well as major ports along the Yangtze River and coastal areas.

Yang Jie, manager of the international port business department at the Xi’an Railway Logistics Center, explained: “Previously, clients had to repeatedly re-process documents and change containers when switching between rail and water transport. Now, thanks to the single bill of lading system, the entire process is done with just one document, significantly simplifying cargo transshipment.”

The system operates on the principle of “one commission, one document, one journey, one settlement”. The cargo remains in the same sealed container throughout the trip. This effectively links rail trunk lines with port and water transport resources. Overall, the system reduces companies’ comprehensive logistics costs by about 25 percent and increases transport efficiency by more than 30 percent.

Yang Shaobo, an engineer in the multimodal transport department of the freight division of the Xi’an Railway Bureau, added: “The 95306.cn platform now exchanges data with shipping booking systems. Clients can not only complete the entire delivery process with a single waybill, but also track their cargo in real time, just like tracking an express delivery parcel. This makes the entire transport process more transparent.”

From January to April, China’s national railway network handled 5.957 million TEU of intermodal transport. That is an increase of 10.7 percent year on year. Under the single bill of lading system, 35,700 TEU were handled during the same period.

1.31 billion tons. 5.957 million containers. 35,700 under the new system. China’s railways are moving more cargo, but using less paper. One document instead of a stack. One container from door to door. Tracking like a courier. Companies save 25 percent. This is not just logistics. It is a revolution in cargo management. The question is not how many more tons will be transported. The question is when such a simple, transparent and cheap service will become the global standard. While China builds alliances and writes code, others are still pushing paper. And the gap will only grow. Because time is money. And containers do not wait.