A rail-sea intermodal freight train runs from Yiwu. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The rail-sea intermodal freight trains running from Yiwu to the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port transported a total of 80,502 TEUs of containers in 2022, up 17.64 percent year-on-year, according to local media outlets.

According to officials, the rail-sea intermodal freight train resulting from cooperation between Yiwu and Ningbo provides a new way for goods made in China to be shipped overseas. About 20 containers are transported to the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port by rail-sea intermodal freight trains every day.

After years of expansion and transformation, the software and hardware facilities of the Yiwu Railway Station can now meet the needs of transportation and production. The station now operates China-Europe freight trains and rail-sea intermodal freight trains separately, greatly increasing the speed of the train and saving on time and costs. The two transport models have also been combined to increase exports of domestic goods.

In addition to small commodities, rail-sea intermodal freight trains also transport solar photovoltaic panels, complete automobiles and spare parts, smart devices and other high-value commodities made in Yiwu and also surrounding cities and provinces.

Since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was put into force a year ago, trade and economic cooperation inside the region has continued to improve, with goods from China and other RCEP member states turning around rapidly at Yiwu, according to officials.