Maersk’s intercontinental rail product portfolio expands, with the recent introduction of a block train solution connecting China and Georgia, the first such product developed specifically for the needs of Georgian imports. On Sunday, October 4, 2020, the first train from Xi’an (Shaanxi province), China arrived in Tbilisi, inaugurating the new rail connection, which complements Maersk’s current coverage of the Caucasian republics (Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia), based on Ocean shipping products.
In addition to providing another connection between Asia and Europe, Maersk claims further expansion of the product will also strengthen Georgia’s role in the New Silk Road development. Xi’an has traditionally been the starting point of the Silk Road, the land routes connecting East and West for over a thousand years.
“Block train is a very important part in Maersk’s intercontinental rail service portfolio. We have made huge progress during the past years and the service has been extended to 18 corridors in 9 countries. We are seeing increasing demand for this cost-efficient, environmentally friendly mode of transportation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with which we help our customers optimise their supply chains with resilient logistics solutions”, said Nora Lin, Head of Logistics Products, Greater China at Maersk.
The first China-Georgia block train left Xi’an on Thursday, September 10, 2020, and arrived in Tbilisi on Sunday, October 4, with 41 containers on board.
Source: Maersk
