The reopening of the Poland-Belarus border is expected to restore the operation of China-Europe Railway Express services, allowing delayed trains and cargo shipments to resume westbound movement. The development marks the recovery of one of the most important land-based trade corridors connecting China and Europe.
On September 23 local time, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that border crossings between Poland and Belarus would reopen on September 25. The move is expected to restart railway transportation through the Małaszewicze–Brest area, a key gateway for China-Europe rail freight entering the European Union.
The temporary closure of Poland-Belarus border crossings since September 12 disrupted a major China-Europe Railway Express route via Russia, Belarus, and Poland. Industry sources noted that a large proportion of China-Europe rail cargo entering the EU relies on this corridor due to its mature operations, competitive costs, and stable transit performance.
During the closure period, shipments accumulated at border areas including Małaszewicze and Brest. Logistics companies estimated that clearing the backlog would require approximately 7 to 10 days after border reopening.
Logistics operators reported that transportation times had extended significantly during the disruption period. Under normal conditions, shipments that typically require around 12–15 days experienced delays of more than 20 days, with additional costs caused by storage, waiting time, and operational adjustments.
The China-Europe Railway Express network includes multiple transportation routes. Among them, the traditional route through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland—often referred to as the "Middle Corridor" in industry practice—has remained the primary channel for China-Europe rail freight due to its established infrastructure, relatively lower costs, and reliable transit efficiency.
Alternative routes, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and sea-rail connections through Russia's St. Petersburg port, provide additional options for supply chain risk management. However, these routes currently face challenges such as higher costs, limited capacity, and seasonal operational factors.
Although alternative routes have not yet replaced the traditional China-Europe Railway Express corridor on a large scale, the border disruption has increased awareness among logistics providers and cargo owners regarding transportation diversification.
Industry participants believe that future China-Europe logistics development will require a combination of multiple transportation solutions, balancing cost, efficiency, stability, and risk management.
At the same time, new maritime routes are also emerging. The launch of the China-Europe Arctic container shipping route demonstrates that global logistics networks are becoming increasingly diversified.
Experts point out that China-Europe Railway Express and emerging maritime routes are not competitors but complementary options. Rail transport maintains advantages in speed, flexibility, and inland connectivity, while maritime routes provide additional choices for long-distance and large-volume shipments.
For enterprises engaged in China-Europe trade, selecting the right logistics solution will increasingly depend on cargo characteristics, delivery requirements, cost considerations, and supply chain resilience strategies.
