The first international freight train departing from Cao Xá Railway Station. VNA/VNS Photo

HẢI DƯƠNG — The first international freight train from Cao Xá Railway Station in the northern province of Hải Dương departed on Thursday morning.

This event marks Cao Xá Station becoming a freight station in the rail freight network, participating in domestic freight transport from Hải Dương to other provinces and vice versa, and at the same time becoming an important link for the international transport network.

A train consisting of 12 containers carrying sulphur, aluminium and milk from factories in Hai Dương and Hưng Yên provinces and Hải Phòng City departed on Thursday morning from Cao Xá Station to Yên Viên Station to connect with international intermodal trains for export to China.

Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) reported that the Hà Nội - Hải Phòng railway in Hải Dương Province spans 46km and has six stations across four districts and cities. However, due to the restricted infrastructure of railway stations, there have been no cargo yards qualified for container operations, and there is no access to industrial parks or companies. Goods in Hải Dương Province have yet to be directly imported or exported.

Cao Xá Station has been elevated to an international freight station thanks to its convenient position near industrial parks and the centre of Hải Dương City, and around two kilometres from Tiên Kiều Port.

The station has undergone renovations and upgrades since January 2024. The first part of the project was finished after 83 days.

Two railway routes, Cao Xá - Yên Viên - Đồng Đăng and Cao Xá - Yên Viên - Lào Cai, have been inaugurated, connecting firms' import and export goods to Chinese railways and countries on the Asia-Europe railway transport route. Businesses that provide logistics services will save expenses and time spent shipping goods, enhancing overall business efficiency.

Chairman of Hải Dương Province People's Committee Triệu Thế Hùng said Cao Xá Station's involvement in the international intermodal journey advances the local railway sector and creates new economic opportunities.

He directed local departments to work with VNR to implement effective solutions to fully utilise the railway line while expanding the road and waterway transportation system that connects to the station.

Hoàng Gia Khánh, VNR general director, said the corporation will introduce the international railway to businesses and partners to promote cargo transportation services in the province.

The VNR plans to connect Cao Xá Station with international stations including Yên Viên, Lào Cai, and Đồng Đăng to maximise international intermodal transport by train, he said. — VNS