The Escaut Valenciennes Terminal locating on the French side to Belgian border, has received containers from China for more than one year. The containers arrive in Duisburg by rail via the new Silk Road and then reach Valenciennes by barge. Thanks to its own bonded warehouse, the terminal operator Contargo also process the customs formalities there. The company now also offers export service from Valenciennes to China.

Escaut Valenciennes Terminal, operated by Contargo and located on the Bruay-sur-l’Escaut/Saint-Saulve quay near Valenciennes, is becoming one of the new players on the Silk Road between China and Europe. For more than a year, Contargo has offered an alternative route that combines rail and inland shipping. The containers arrive in northern France after transshipment by rail and barge at the Duisburg Intermodal Terminal. From now on French shippers can also have their containers transported to China via Valenciennes.

Container transport by rail has its great competitiveness in comparision to ocean shipping, as it usually takes half of the transit time, while the international supply chains by sea are facing difficulties and disruptions. The containers from China reach Valenciennes in less than 20 days. Thanks to its customs warehouse approved by French customs, Contargo North France can take care of all customs formalities for the end customer in France. The containers are thus cleared through customs and available within a few hours of being unloaded.

“Together with our colleagues from Contargo Group and our Chinese and European partners, we can now provide a relevant and competitive transport service between China and Europe. This meets a need from some large importers in our region,” said Gilbert Bredel, Managing Director Contargo North France.