European Railroad Discussion > China, Germany, and the (rail) Belt and Road initiative

The Wall Street Journal has an article on the impact China's Belt and Road initiative is having on ports and railroads in western Europe.  Although the Chinese purchase of port facilities is well known, the expansion of rail and air freight terminals is somewhat less known. But, German rail operator Deutsche Bahn says its lines are "at capacity" with trains to and from China via Poland, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. The blockage of the Suez Canal forced more traffic onto rails, where it may stay. Large expansions are seen for the next decade.

The rail and air strategy is to pick second tier western European cities like Duisburg in Germany, and Liege in Belgium. Establish freight hubs, and use the hub to deliver goods quickly and cheaply.  In one example, Chinese shippers out-delivered Italian machine tool suppliers in northern Europe. Other Chinese investors buy or share port facilities in major ports like Valencia, Marseille, and Rotterdam.

Chinese government supported port companies work closely with companies like Alibaba and JD.com to provide a seamless connection between the suppliers in China, and the buyers in western Europe.

Paywall:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-battle-with-u-s-for-global-sway-china-showers-money-on-europes-neglected-areas-11618310350?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos1

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> But,
> German rail operator Deutsche Bahn says its lines
> are "at capacity"

When DB says a line is at capacity, it means something entirely different than when a US railroad claime a line is at capacity.

TAW

In a good way or a bad way?