Europe-China silk route reefer volumes on the up, but for how long?

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A number of new reefer services have launched on Europe-Asia rail routes, but uncertainty over the future of Chinese rail subsidies threatens growth.

Growing eastbound volumes could prove instrumental to the long-term sustainability of Asia-Europe rail freight. The railways are heavily subsidised by China, but there is no guarantee they will continue indefinitely, despite the strong emphasis by the government on its One Belt, One Road policy.

Indeed, one China-based source told The Coolstar the subsidies could end as soon as 2019.

She added: “It’s ...