Maersk introduces new rail-sea connection between Asia and Europe together with APM Terminals

In response to customers’ ever-changing supply chain needs in the current extraordinary times, Maersk introduces a new rail-sea offer connecting Asia to Europe through Central Asia.

Departing from various locations in China,anew A.P. Moller – Maersk service connects China and Europe via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania in about 40 days.

‘’Aiming to create agile and creative solutions to our evolving customer’s needs, this revamped service comes at the perfect time to help ease current logistics woes. We have listened to our customers and developed a solution that provides them an alternative and eco-friendlyintermodal connection between Asia and Europe. Over 90% of the Middle Corridor rail service is electrified,’’ explains Maia Parlagashvili, Global Product Manager for Intercontinental Rail at Maersk.

After passing the border of Khorgos between China and Kazakhstan, containers arrive by rail to the station of Aktau where they are loaded on a barge to Baku in Azerbaijani. From there containers are railed to APM Terminals Poti, Georgia, where they are being loaded on a feeder vessel to Constanta, Romania. Then the cargo is railedto various destinations across European countries.

“We are very pleased to have received the first of Maersk’s China – Europe blocktrains to transit APM Terminals Poti. The establishment of this product will help to connect China and Europe with a fast, efficient, reliable service, and underpins the importance of APM Terminals Poti as a keystone in the development of the Middle Corridor,” says Iain Rawlinson, Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals Poti.

Maersk has started developing this new route back in March and already in April had the first departure from China serving customers from lifestyle, automotive and household appliances industries.

“The Corridor has sufficient open capacity, allowing our customers to strengthen their supply chain resilience, by having alternative route to Ocean and Air services,” adds Maia Parlagashvili.

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