SHENZHEN: May 22, 2017. DHL Global Forwarding has launched the first regular LCL and FCL rail service that connects Shenzhen to Minsk in Belarus in less than 12 days.

DHL will manage the new route with China Brilliant, a Shenzhen-based supply chain service provider of Customs clearance, warehousing, distribution, financial settlement and information management.

"Eastern Europe's economies are growing faster than almost any others worldwide, with significant export opportunities arising from the region's rising wages and disposable income levels," said Steve Huang, DHL Global Forwarding CEO for Greater China (pictured). "Minsk offers Chinese businesses an efficient gateway into the Baltic States and Nordic countries in addition to other major European destinations like Warsaw, Hamburg and Tilburg via Brest.

"With Shenzhen's economy exceeding 9.0 percent growth last year, the route also opens sizable opportunities for European exporters looking to sell to one of China's most vibrant trade and business hubs, or use it as an important gateway to Southeast Asia and the rest of the Chinese consumer market," added Huang.

The new service will route via the Alashankou-Dostyk rail junction between China and Kazakhstan that already provides connections from Chengdu, Zhengzhou and Lianyungang to continental Europe.

"Trade growth between China and Belarus shows no signs of slowing down, and we are excited to be partnering with DHL to further streamline freight connections between both countries," said China Brilliant founder Zhang Chunhua.

DHL operates rail-based services between China and Europe via three routes: a north corridor from Suzhou to Warsaw in 14 days; 
a south corridor from Lianyungang and Chengdu to Istanbul that crosses Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Georgia, the Caspian and Black seas before arriving at Istanbul in 14 days; and a west corridor that links Zhengzhou to Hamburg, Chengdu to Lodz, and Shenzhen to Minsk.