BEIJING, September 2025 —The China-Europe Railway Express, a key freight corridor linking China and the European Union, has been significantly disrupted following Poland’s decision to close all border crossings with Belarus. The move, prompted by national security concerns related to Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 military exercises and increased drone activity near the border, has caused delays across one of Eurasia’s most critical trade routes.

The closure has stranded more than 130 freight trains at the Brest crossing in Belarus, disrupting the flow of goods between Asia and Europe. For many logistics firms, the shutdown represents a major setback, particularly for time-sensitive and high-value cargo that depends on the reliability of the land route.

Trade data from 2024 underscores the importance of this corridor: cargo volumes on the China-Europe Railway Express grew by approximately 10.6%, while the total value of transported goods surged by 85%, reaching an estimated US$27 billion. The rail network has become especially vital for e-commerce and manufacturing supply chains that seek faster delivery times compared to sea freight.

With the main Poland-Belarus route closed, businesses are exploring alternative pathways, including the Middle Corridor via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkey. However, these options are slower, more complex, and costlier due to multiple transfers. Some companies have also turned to air freight to move urgent shipments, despite significantly higher expenses.

While Chinese e-commerce platforms are among the potential users affected, there is limited public confirmation from major players such as Temu or Shein regarding specific impacts on their logistics operations. Nonetheless, the disruption has drawn attention to the fragility of key Eurasian supply chains and the need for diversified transport routes.

China’s Foreign Ministry has urged a swift resolution to the issue to ensure stable industrial and trade connectivity between Asia and Europe. The event also highlights Beijing’s broader strategic efforts to diversify trade corridors such as through the planned China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to reduce dependency on single transit routes and mitigate risks posed by geopolitical instability.

As the global logistics sector adapts, the incident serves as a reminder that maintaining resilient and flexible transport networks is crucial for safeguarding international commerce in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.

Source: Asia Times