China-Laos Railway Cargo Volume Tops 10 Million Tonnes In 2026 With Cross-border Fruit Surge

According to Chinese official transport sources, the China-Laos Railway has achieved a remarkable cargo transportation milestone, with its total freight volume exceeding 10 million tonnes so far this year as of June 13. Cross-border cargo shipments accounted for more than 2.5 million tonnes of the overall figure, highlighting the line’s growing capacity for regional cross-border logistics connectivity.

Officially launched on December 3, 2021, the China-Laos Railway has witnessed continuous optimisation of freight organisation and operational efficiency through joint efforts of railway authorities in China and Laos. The daily operating frequency of cross-border freight trains has seen a substantial increase, rising from merely two trains in the initial opening stage to a peak of 23 trains per day, effectively unlocking greater cross-border transport potential and streamlining regional commodity circulation.

Cargo transportation via the landmark railway has maintained robust growth momentum throughout 2026, with cross-border fruit deliveries emerging as a standout highlight of its freight business. Latest operational data shows that the railway’s cross-border fruit transport volume surpassed 185,000 tonnes as of June 11, representing a year-on-year increase of 73.1%. The booming fruit trade reflects the line’s expanding role in facilitating cross-border agricultural trade and enabling efficient cold-chain logistics between Southeast Asian producing regions and consumer markets.

The transport network coverage of the China-Laos Railway has expanded steadily since its launch. At present, the railway’s cargo services extend to 19 countries and regions across Asia, including Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. The diversity of transported commodities has also experienced explosive growth, expanding from just over 10 categories at the opening to more than 3,800 types of goods, covering industrial products, agricultural produce and daily consumer goods.

As a key connectivity corridor linking China with Southeast Asia, the railway will continue to capitalise on its operational and geographical advantages. Further improvements in freight scheduling, cross-border customs clearance coordination and cold-chain transport support are set to strengthen its capacity to support regional trade cooperation and multi-country commodity circulation in the future.