When the 6000th China Europe freight train set off from the logistics base of Hefei North Station and headed towards Hamburg, Germany, this inland city that is not near the sea or borders, ran a hardcore open report card with steel tracks. A train loaded with color LCD displays, car accessories, outdoor air conditioning units, educational toys, and high-end decorative fabrics is just one aspect of the daily operation of Hefei International Land Port.

New three types become the main export force

As of the end of May, the China Europe freight train has shipped a total of 402 trains from Hefei, a year-on-year increase of 10.11%, with a cargo value of 624 million US dollars, a significant increase of 50.36% year-on-year. The categories of goods continue to be optimized, with key industries such as smart home appliances and high-end equipment accounting for over 60%. New energy vehicles, photovoltaic modules, and display panels have replaced traditional goods and become the main export force. Anhui Manufacturing is accelerating its entry into the global market. The growth rate of freight value far exceeds the growth rate of train number, indicating that the value of single train freight is increasing and the added value of exported products is increasing.

Three major brand platforms support the hub level

Relying on the national level China Europe freight train assembly center, land port type national logistics hub, and national multimodal transport demonstration project, Hefei International Land Port has grown from a single route to a comprehensive logistics hub that connects 20 countries and more than 180 international stations.

The high-quality operation of public and customized trains for Europe and Central Asia, as well as the stable and normalized operation of southbound channels, provides diversified transportation options for foreign trade enterprises in Anhui and central regions. Since the completion of the second phase of Hefei International Land Port in July 2025, the project has been fully operational. From January to May 2026, the cumulative completion of over 22096 TEUs in customs supervised workplaces has steadily improved container turnover and operational efficiency.

Standing at the new starting point of 6000 trains, Hefei International Inland Port is deeply integrated into the joint construction of the the Belt and Road, optimizing the transportation structure of the trains, strengthening the characteristic routes across the two seas, strengthening the connection with the golden waterway of the Yangtze River and international maritime ports, and expanding the maritime connection channel with the Silk Road. Key words: the Belt and Road, China Europe Express, Silk Road maritime connectivity channel

By deepening the integration of transportation and trade, expanding cross-border e-commerce, warehousing and distribution, supply chain finance and other services, and empowering high-quality development with digitalization, Hefei is moving from a transportation node to an open hub, striving to create a new highland of inland openness.Editor/Cheng Liting