Codognotto, an Italian transport company, has announced the launch of a new container train service connecting three Chinese cities — Zhengzhou, Chengdu and Xi'an — directly to Milan. This service, commencing in January 2024, comes as a strategic response to the ongoing Red Sea crisis, which has prolonged sea freight times from China to Italy. The train journey, spanning 22 days, offers an alternative to the maritime routes affected by the crisis.
The service includes various departure schedules: from Zhengzhou to Milan on Thursdays and Saturdays; Chengdu to Milan with two weekly departures (days unspecified); and from Xi'an on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. This initiative represents a significant shift in freight transportation, favoring rail over sea amid the global supply chain disruptions.
Furthermore, Codognotto has declared its intent to double its intermodal volumes from Poland to Great Britain. Currently, the company handles approximately 10,000 cargo units annually between these two countries, predominantly via road. The aim is to substantially shift this traffic to rail, showcasing Codognotto's commitment to enhancing its intermodal transport capabilities."
