Multimodal operator KTZ Express (subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways), with the assistance of DB Schenker and air operator KLM, tested a pilot shipment of Hewlett Packard electronic equipment from China to Europe through Kazakhstan via rail and air transport modes.

The pilot shipment used specialised 45-foot climate control containers recently purchased by JSC KTZ Express.

The Rail-Air route uses container block trains on the Chongqing (China) – Duisburg (Europe) route. At Dostyk station the container is transferred to a train to Almaty. The cargo is then loaded at Almaty International Airport on the KLM flight bound for Amsterdam.

This 9,900 km route was completed in just seven days (the existing Ocean-Air routes take 23 to 30 days). JSC KTZ Express hopes to announce a regular Rail-Air route later in 2015.

(Source: KTZ)