Xi'an: The Chinese dry port connecting continents via freight rail

Despite its inland location, the Chinese city of Xi'an has transformed into a global logistics hub through the Xi'an Chanba International Port. This dry port utilizes a high-speed freight rail network that reduces cargo transit time between China and Europe to approximately one week, compared to two months via sea. Experts suggest that goods could reach Algeria in just 15 days by integrating rail and maritime routes. Since the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative, the network has expanded significantly, with over 6,000 trains recorded in 2025. The system operates on a 'station-to-station' model through international logistics partnerships with countries such as Kazakhstan and Hungary. The Aiju grain and oil group serves as a prime example of this cross-border cooperation, linking agricultural production in Kazakhstan with industrial processing in China. This experience offers valuable insights for Algeria regarding the development of storage and logistics centers to enhance national export capabilities.