According to Hankook Ilbo, a major daily newspaper in the Republic of Korea, the Houthis’ blockade of Red Sea shipping lanes has triggered a global logistics crisis. This disruption has driven shipping costs from Korea to the European Union up by as much as 250 percent over four months. In parallel, the growing pressure on China–Europe rail freight may be eroding South Korea’s export competitiveness. The report highlights the significant advantages of rail over sea routes as the world confronts mounting supply-chain challenges.
Across Europe, many nations have increased demand for China–Europe rail freight services and are actively seeking logistics solutions that reduce reliance on maritime transport. The key question remains: what makes the rail option superior to sea shipping?
The standout benefit is stability. Transcontinental rail volumes across Eurasia have proven themselves to be more reliable and punctual, offering predictable schedules that mitigate the delays often seen at sea.
Moreover, whether shipments head into the Red Sea corridor or skirt around the Cape of Good Hope, sea freight prices have surged dramatically. Such volatility makes the rail option even more attractive for steady, cost-conscious supply chains.
In terms of transit time, the longest sea route to the Cape of Good Hope can stretch to about 45 days, while rail journeys from China to Europe typically complete in roughly 20 days. This gap widens when one considers the ongoing improvements in rail speeds, which are steadily shrinking lead times and increasing reliability.
As a crucial artery for Belt and Road development, the China–Europe freight rail network already connects 219 cities in 25 European countries. It has opened new terrestrial corridors for trade and established a robust cross-continental bridge for Asia–Europe economic collaboration. The network has built a resilient international logistics chain and injected fresh momentum into regional development across both continents.
Given the current security landscape, the advantages and contributions of China–Europe rail freight are particularly valuable. The system offers timeliness, reliability, and network reach that help fortify global supply chains against disruption, enabling smoother, more predictable commerce between Asia and Europe.