(MENAFN) China’s railway cargo transport logged steady growth in the first half of 2025, driven by streamlined operations and enhanced service offerings, according to the national railway authority.

In a statement released Sunday, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. reported that the national rail network moved 1.98 billion tonnes of cargo from January through June—an annual increase of 3 percent. The average number of loaded freight cars per day climbed to 182,400, marking a 4 percent rise year-on-year.

The railway operator emphasized that it had leveraged the full capabilities of the integrated rail system and advanced market-oriented reforms in freight transportation. These measures, the company said, aimed to strengthen logistics capacity, operational efficiency, and service standards.

Coal shipments alone accounted for 1.02 billion tonnes during the six-month period. Transport volumes for metallurgical products increased by 8.6 percent, while grain shipments grew 9.8 percent.

International freight services also remained resilient. The Central Asia freight train service completed 7,349 trips—up 25 percent compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, the China-Laos Railway handled close to 3.03 million tonnes of cross-border goods, reflecting a 9 percent year-on-year rise.

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