First Direct Freight Train from China’s Shandong Province Heads to Afghanistan

DID Press: The first dedicated freight train operating directly from China’s Shandong Province to Afghanistan’s Hairatan port has departed, marking a new development in trade and transit cooperation between Kabul and Beijing.

According to Chinese media reports, the train is carrying cargo worth approximately 8 million yuan, including textiles, chemical raw materials, industrial tools and construction machinery manufactured in the city of Linyi.The shipment is expected to enter Afghanistan after passing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and crossing the border at Termez.

The journey to Hairatan port in northern Balkh province is expected to take around 20 days.Before the launch of this route, a significant portion of exports from Shandong to Afghanistan was transported by road or through combined road-and-rail networks. These routes often required more time and imposed substantial costs on traders.

Chinese officials believe the new direct rail corridor will reduce transportation costs, improve supply-chain security and significantly expand trade between eastern China and the Afghan market.

Transit experts also view the launch as an important step in strengthening Hairatan port’s role as one of Afghanistan’s main entry points for industrial and commercial goods. They say the route could eventually become a major trade link between Afghanistan and East Asia.