News / China-Europe rail rates falling, but port congestion is propping up demand

China-Europe rail freight rates have fallen in recent weeks, as have ocean prices, but demand appears to be holding up, due to port congestion in Europe.

The number of China-Europe freight train trips this year reached 10,000 on 21 August, according to the latest figures from China State Railway, a figure hit 10 days earlier than last year and a 5% increase in volumes carried, at 972,000 teu.

Nevertheless, there has been a marked slowdown in growth, compared with previous years, which ...