CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -T he first rail freight service from the UK to China was departing today. Thirty containers filled with British produced goods were setting off on the 7, 500-mile journey from Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Whisky, soft drinks, vitamins, pharmaceuticals and baby products are among the items being exported.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Yiwu–London railway line is a freight railway route from Yiwu, China, to London, United Kingdom, covering a distance of roughly 12, 000 km (7, 500 miles). This makes it the second longest railway freight route in the world after the Yiwu–Madrid railway line, which spans 12, 874 km (8, 046 miles).

Detailed explanation-3: -Intermodal or container traffic carrying consumer goods tends to travel from ports to distribution centres in the Midlands, North West of England, East of England and Scotland.

Detailed explanation-4: -Rail freight moved market share, Great Britain, annual data, January 2020 to December 2020 (Table 1350) Page 17 Freight rail usage and performance January to March 2022 Office of Rail and Road | 09 June 2022 17 During calendar year 2020, 4.8% of all freight lifted in Great Britain was transported by rail.

Detailed explanation-5: -New freight train from China to London The main benefits of this option is its short delivery time and obviously the lower costs it offers. Indeed, the delays provided by rail freight are way shorter than sea freight and less expensive than air transport.