PETALING JAYA: The Asean Express, a new international freight train service connecting Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and China, has been launched by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) to improve trade connectivity between the nations.
The service will connect new trade routes and multiple inland ports across the region, including the Kontena Nasional Inland Clearance Depot (KNICD) in Selangor, Perlis Inland Port, Thailand’s Latkrabang Inland Port and the Thanaleng Dry Port in Laos, all of which are pivotal trade hubs.
It can reduce the transit time of goods between the nations, with the transit time from KNICD to Chongqing, China, expected to take only nine days compared with 14 to 21 days by sea.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the new service will improve regional logistics and rail connectivity, as well as open up new regional markets and reduce costs for local businesses.
“This new service will provide a smoother and more efficient flow of goods throughout the region, as well as enhance rail cargo transport capacity while reducing logistic costs for businesses by at least 20%.
“The quicker transport time is also expected to open up new markets in the agricultural sector, in particular by allowing for previously perishable produce to be transported quicker by rail.
“Rail transportation also boasts a significantly lower carbon footprint compared with road haulage, promoting a more sustainable future for all.
“Let us continue to work together in fostering innovation and strengthening trade ties to build a sustainable and competitive regional rail transport network that will benefit businesses and citizens across South-East Asia,” he said after flagging off Asean Express’s first shipment to Chongqing from KNICD here yesterday.
The new service will also see the deployment of KTMB’s first Malaysian-made “pay-as-use” leased locomotives.
A total of six locomotives and 204 wagons, built with local expertise at homegrown rail equipment manufacturer SMH Rail in Selangor, had been leased by KTMB for the service, which projects up to two round-trip train runs per week for its initial run.
KTMB group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin expressed his pride in the new service for showcasing both Asean and Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global market.
Also present were Lao People’s Democratic Republic Deputy Head of Mission to Malaysia Phetwilaychanh Souvannarath, Thailand Ambassador to Malaysia Lada Phumas, and China Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
