First TIR logistics hub opens in Western China in boost to pan-Asian trade

27 MAY 2024 · PROSPERITY

The first TIR Logistics Hub accredited by IRU has opened in Kashgar, Western China, offering a one-stop-shop for TIR transport companies, customs services and supply chain players.

A new TIR logistics hub accredited by IRU, the first-of-its-kind, was inaugurated yesterday in Kashgar, China, a major city and trade gateway in the western region of Xinjiang, close to Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.

The unique facility brings together all essential transit services under one roof: customs clearance, warehousing, cargo handling, route development, and transport capacity matching.

With TIR already boosting trade between China and Eurasia, the integrated approach of the hub will further streamline operations, boost efficiency and save costs for transport companies operating into Central and South Asia, as well as from China through to the Middle East and Europe.

IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “I am delighted to welcome the inauguration of the first TIR logistics hub in China. Such secure route diversification will facilitate regional trade growth and make supply chains more resilient.”  

“IRU looks forward to collaborating with partners to leverage the resources and key role of the TIR logistics hub, as well as the benefits of TIR to further diversify and optimise trade routes linking China to Central Asia and beyond,” he added.

IRU Chief Representative of East and Southeast Asia Yan Zhou said, “In recent years, Kashgar has been making continuous efforts in TIR transport with regular operations along the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan and China-Pakistan economic corridors. This has established a solid foundation for the launch of the Kashgar TIR Logistics Hub.”

“With the strong support of customs and transport authorities, local governments and industry partners, we are confident that the TIR logistics hub will create shared opportunities and contribute significantly to the development of China’s international road transport industry,” she added.

CEVA Logistics Vice President of Ground & Rail for Greater China and Global Cross Border & Multimodal Leader Kelvin Tang said, “I am honoured to attend the inauguration ceremony of the first TIR logistics hub accredited by IRU in China.

“As a pioneer of TIR solutions in China, CEVA has successfully opened TIR routes between China and Europe, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan since 2018. We have continuously invested in international road transport and TIR solutions. With the launch of this hub in Kashgar, I believe TIR will grow faster and become more widely used.”

“By working with IRU and our partners, CEVA is committed to providing our customers with transport services that offer significant time and cost savings under TIR,” he added.

Located in China’s north-west Xinjiang Region, Kashgar serves as a key logistics hub for goods transported between China and Central Asia, South Asia and other regions.

IRU will explore opportunities to establish TIR Logistics Hubs in other cities in China to further facilitate international trade between China and countries across Eurasia.

What is the TIR system?

The TIR system enables goods to be shipped from a country of origin to a country of destination in sealed load compartments that are controlled by customs via a multilateral, mutually recognised system.

TIR streamlines procedures at borders, reducing the administrative burden for customs authorities and transport and logistics companies. It cuts border waiting times significantly, saving time and money.

TIR is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, marking the first agreement to establish the system by nine European countries in 1949 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The TIR system connects China with over 30 countries across Eurasia, offering more secure transport options that are over 80% faster and 50% cheaper. Twenty-eight Chinese cities have started TIR operations.

Source IRU

Greening transport needs a pragmatic approach, IRU tells ministers

23 MAY 2024 · ENVIRONMENT

Opening the 2024 ITF Summit of Transport Ministers in Leipzig, Germany, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto has stressed the importance of a pragmatic approach to decarbonising commercial road transport based on proven, available efficiency measures.

Governments need to support proven efficiency measures, at the same time as alternative fuels investment, to decarbonise effectively, IRU told transport ministers and industry leaders from around the world at the opening plenary session of the annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF).

“Greening the world road transport industry is our mission, and we can’t let crises – however grave – disrupt progress to carbon neutrality. But this will only happen if we decarbonise pragmatically,” said Umberto de Pretto.

IRU Green Compact research has found that the best way to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 is for the industry and governments to deliver on two types of actions simultaneously: energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels implementation. 

Energy efficiency measures – available right now – can cut 50% of all CO2 emissions from commercial road transport from now through to 2050. 

A steady transition to new alternative fuels and the vehicles, infrastructure and business models needed to run them – including electricity, hydrogen and carbon-neutral biofuels – covers the other 50%.

“The important point here is that both need to happen now and over time through to 2050. We need to act now on all fronts. ”UMBERTO DE PRETTOIRU Secretary General

IRU also emphasised the role of technology neutrality and warned against misguided forced modal shift policies.

Umberto de Pretto concluded, “Are we aiming to save the planet or a particular mode of transport? All modes need to work together to provide a full range of network services to users. We all need to work together, with each other, with governments, and with our clients, to keep greening transport.

“Transport operators – of all modes – know best how to operate services in the most efficient and, therefore, the greenest way possible. Trust in them and the power of a well-regulated market.”

IRU was joined by other notable government and international leaders at the opening plenary session. 

China’s Vice Minister of Transport, Yang Li, thanked IRU for its work with the Chinese government and the TIR system in helping China advance sustainable transport.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s Executive Secretary, Tatiana Molcean, also highlighted the crucial role of TIR in global supply chains.

Source IRU

Washington D.C. to host int’l forum on Middle Corridor development

The US-based Caspian Policy Center (CPC), one of the leading analytical structures in the US, is organizing the 8th Annual Trans-Caspian Forum titled “How to Maximize the Middle Corridor” on May 21 in Washington.

“Collaborating with the embassies of the Caspian region, South Caucasus, and neighboring countries—such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan—we are arranging a Middle Corridor forum,” the CPC website reported.

Amid the energy and security challenges stemming, CPC experts emphasize the crucial necessity for strategic engagement between the US and the Caspian region.

“The recent global paradigm shift underscores the imperative for the US to reassess its alliances and assist nations in this pivotal region to bolster their economic sovereignty through enhanced connectivity and trade, notably via the Middle Corridor,” the statement highlighted.

Consequently, the inaugural panel of the Trans-Caspian Forum will focus on “Building on the United States-Caspian Strategic Partnership.”

Distinguished guests such as US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell, Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, USAID representative Isobel Coleman, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets Arun Venkataraman have been invited to participate in the forum.

Richard Eugene Hoagland, former American Ambassador and Chairman of the Board of the Caspian Policy Center, along with Deputy Foreign Ministers from invited states (including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan), will address the forum on the development of the Caspian region.

The second panel will focus on “Maximizing Development Impact: Prioritization and Coordination” and will directly address the Middle Corridor route.

“This multimodal corridor offers the most direct path for goods traveling from China to Europe, being 3,000 kilometers shorter than the northern route via Russia. In January of this year, the EU declared its commitment to allocate $10.8 billion to bolster the Middle Corridor link between Europe and Central Asia. It’s crucial now to ascertain how governments and international financial institutions intend to synchronize and prioritize the diverse investments and policies essential for establishing an efficient and contemporary transport route,” the CPC experts say.

The panel discussion will include Ambassador Erin Elizabeth McKee representing USAID, Henrik Hololei from the European Commission, Tamar Jejeia Satterwhite from the US Department of Commerce, and Winnie Wang, Lead Infrastructure Specialist and Program Leader, Europe and Central Asia program at the World Bank.

The third panel, titled “How to Do Business Better Along the Middle Corridor: Experts Discuss Needs and Opportunities,” will feature Eugene Seah, Chief Operating Officer, Baku International Sea Trade Port, and Mamuka Murjikneli, CEO, Wondernet Investment Group. Also invited to this panel are Carolyn Lamm, Chairman of the Board, American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce; Greg Sbrocco, Executive Vice President, Global Operations, Wabtec Corporation; and Alice Wong, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Officer, Cameco.

It’s worth noting that the Middle Corridor is under scrutiny by the global community for facilitating trade between two major economies, China and the EU.

Source

An online-meeting between customs officers of Turkmenistan and colleagues from Turkey took place

An online-meeting took place between representatives of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Customs and Trade of the Republic of Turkey. This is reported on the website of the customs department of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, the draft Agreement on the Simplified Customs Corridor (SCC) and the Protocol on the establishment of the Joint Customs Committee were reviewed.

The creation of the Joint Customs Committee should facilitate the organization of effective customs cooperation within the framework of the implementation of bilateral agreements concluded between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Turkey.

The Simplified Customs Corridor project is an exchange of preliminary information about goods between the customs services of Turkmenistan and Turkey. This information will be used during customs control.

Source