- Malaysia Launches ASEAN Express, International Freight Train, Connecting Economic Hubs of Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and China.
- Officials say Asian Express freight service to transport approximately 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers annually from the China-ASEAN market.
- ASEAN Express service would not only be boosting regional logistics and rail connectivity but also open up new markets and provide more cost savings to local businesses and people.
By: Muhammad Arif
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Transport Ministry has launched the ASEAN Express, an international freight train, connecting key economic hubs of Malaysia to Thailand, Laos and China.
While inaugurating the ASEAN Express, Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the service, connecting Selangor city of Malaysia to Chongqing city of China, in collaboration with Thai and Lao railway authorities, would significantly reduce transit times, carbon footprint, and transportation costs.
The Asean Express offers a faster alternative to traditional routes that will take nine days from the Kontena Nasional Inland Clearance Depot (KNICD) in Malaysia to Chongqing city of China compared to 14 to 21 days by sea route.
Besides regional connectivity, Rail transportation also boasts a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to road haulage.
“(Transport) costs will be reduced by at least 20%,” Transport minister told reporters at the flag-off ceremony at KNICD, Loke said.
Minister further added by saying that the decreased travel times could boost markets for perishable items.
“If you can cut down transit time by one week, it would make a lot of difference. For agricultural products, shipping cannot take too long as many products are perishable.
“If it can be shipped within nine days, it will definitely open up markets,” he said.
Officials said Asian Express freight service is expected to transport approximately 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers annually from the China-ASEAN market.
Currently, KTMB has planned for two ASEAN Express train runs per week, each carrying 40 TEUs of containers, with the goal of gradually increasing to daily runs.
The opening ceremony of Asian Express was attended by Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Thai ambassador to Malaysia Lada Phumas, Lao deputy head of mission Phetwilaychanh Souvannarth, KTMB CEO Rani Hisham Samsuddin, and the deputy mayor of Chongqing Zheng Xiangdong, who attended online.
Policy makers, trade and logistic experts expect the ASEAN Express service to facilitate greater economic integration among our neighbors while also driving regional development and prosperity.
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