Market Space and Improvement Policies for China-Europe Railway Express Operations under New Situations

Based on the organization process of China-Europe Railway Express(CERE), the evaluation method on the operation efficiency and economy is proposed. A competitiveness evaluation model of CERE is established by comparing it with other modes such as water, land, and air transportation. Considering the reorganization of the world trade pattern triggered by the Russia- Ukraine conflict, the changes in the CERE train path and its market space are analyzed. The analysis results are concluded as follows. Geopolitical risks have intensified the instability in Eastern Europe, and the blockage of the original path of CERE trains has increased its arrival time limit, and thus its market competitiveness of the original paths has been challenged, which directly compresses the market space of CERE trains. The changing situation in Europe requires the creation and expansion of new paths, among which the Mediterranean path has good development potential. With the diversion to the Mediterranean route, the new operation route fully considers the regional stability and freight market along the route, which can provide more market space for the CERE. The new route and the stable region provide favorable conditions to enhance the competitiveness of CERE, thus promoting the sustainable development of CERE.