Recently, Hubei Postal Branch launched the “Wuhan-Baku” charter freight train service via the China-Europe Railway Express, dispatching 53 containers loaded with machinery, household appliances and daily necessities on its first shipment.

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is an important node city on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. With seamless rail-sea intermodal transport, the “Wuhan-Baku” freight train is expected to reach Baku in 18 days, cutting 25 days off traditional sea transport and reducing costs by 60 percent compared with air freight. It has, therefore, established a brand-new and efficient logistics channel for export-oriented enterprises in Hubei to explore the emerging Eurasian market. To this end, Hubei Postal Branch has made targeted efforts to expand markets and improve operations. It made coordinated plans in advance, promoted the advantages of the Baku dedicated line in a targeted manner, and precisely organized cargo sources. Meanwhile, it cooperated with the carrier to design intermodal transportation procedures and participated in the whole process of filing shipment plans and formulating exclusive standard operating procedures (SOPs), to enable the seamless connection of consolidating cargoes, applying for shipment and dispatching. At present, Hubei Postal Branch plans to dispatch one charter freight train every month based on customer demands.