In early 2017, another milestone was reached in the block train traffic between China and Europe, as the first test train went from China to London, UK, via the Channel Tunnel, covering a distance of 12,000 kilometers. To offer such products and to establish new routes, InterRail benefits from the good cooperation with partners of long years. On April 10, 2017, the first train left London for Yiwu.
In June 2017, the InterRail Group and JF Hillebrand, an international service provider specialized in the logistics of beer, wine and spirits, handled a test transport of French wine via rail from Duisburg, Germany, to Yiwu, China. The train crossed six countries and covered a distance of 11,400 kilometers. The data recorded (temperature, humidity, acceleration forces and differences in altitude) allowed experts an in-depth insight into the viability of this logistics solution for the beer and wine industries. One thing is clear: transporting wine in normal dry goods containers is not an option. Beer and wine have to be shipped on board a reefer, or protected by VinLiner, a protective foil specially created by JH Hillebrand. More information on the test run results upon request.
