China-Laos Railway freight station officially in operation
Since July 1, 2022, cross-border goods are loaded in a freight yard of the China-Laos Railway’s Vientiane South Station. This cargo transit yard of China-Laos Railway was officially put into operation on Friday with the first rail containers heading to the Thai port of Laem Chabang. This is a major step in a project that will make the international logistics channel of land-sea intermodal transport much more convenient than before for member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The China-Laos Railway adopts international standards while the Thai Railway currently uses a different rail gauge system. Therefore, rail freight transport between Laos and Thailand requires time-consuming and costly reloading operations.
The China-Laos Railway’s Vientiane South Station freight transit area is expected to improve the efficiency of freight transportation between China and ASEAN member countries.
The freight transit yard will greatly benefit Laos, given its important role in strengthening freight transportation, said Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in a speech at the opening ceremony held on Friday.
“Gradually, a new international land-sea logistics corridor will take shape, which will enhance the status and role of the China-Laos Railway and reduce cross-border logistics costs. It will provide reliable transportation support to the people and businesses of Laos and ASEAN,” said Yuan Minghao, general manager of Laos-China Railway Co. (LCRC).
Chanthone Sitthixay, president of Vientiane Logistics Park Co. Ltd, a local company that manages Thanaleng Dry Port, where the transit park is located, said the cargo transit park will create more favorable conditions for the development of economic and trade cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
He added that it will provide cost-effective services for shipping products to regional markets and beyond ASEAN.
Since July 1, 2022, cross-border goods have been reloaded into a freight yard at Vientiane South Station of China-Laos Railway. This freight yard of China-Laos Railway was officially put into operation on Friday with the first rail containers heading to the Thai port of Laem Chabang.
