Nippon Express and JR Freight to Launch Sea & Rail Service between Japan and Tianjin, China

Nippon Express Co., Ltd. (head office: Minato Ward, Tokyo; president: Masanori KAWAI), and Japan Freight Railway Company (head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; president: Naohiko ITO) in March will launch a Sea & Rail Service using JR Freight 12-foot railway containers for shipments between points in Japan and Tianjin, China.

Similar services already link Japan with the Huadong region (via the Shanghai Super Express) and Qingdao (via the Orient Ferry), and this new service will utilize the Enkyo, a weekly high-speed ferry operated by China Express Line Co., Ltd., that shuttles between Kobe, Japan and Tianjin, China in 50 hours.

Numerous Japanese companies - including major automobile manufacturers - have set up operations in Tianjin, which also serves as a key gateway to the capital city of Beijing, and transport of automotive components, precision equipment, and even apparel products is anticipated. By tying together railway transport in Japan with high-speed ferry service, Nippon Express and JR Freight are hoping to attract customers by offering regularly scheduled transport on par with conventional air cargo shipments in terms of speed. Goods shipped using Nippon Express' 12-foot HDS (Hot Delivery Service) depart Kobe on Friday and arrive in Tianjin on Sunday; assuming all customs requirements have been satisfied, the goods can be cleared through customs on Sunday and delivered on Monday.