(Yicai Global) April 20 -- China-Europe train lines have been critical in China’s efforts to send personal protective equipment to Europe in the fight against Covid-19 due to limitations in air and sea transport, according to China’s National Development and Reform Commission.

The world’s second-largest economy has sent around 448,000 pieces of pandemic prevention materials weighing 1,440 tons to European nations via train so far, spokesman Yuan Da said at a press briefing this morning. The destinations include hard-hit Italy and Spain.

Air transport expenses have tripled and then some given the massive reduction worldwide in passenger flights, which are responsible for carrying nearly half of the world’s cargo sent by air, according to FlightGlobal.

Freight trains leaving China delivered 174,000 twenty-foot equivalent units worth of goods in the first quarter, up 18 percent, he added. That took 1,941 trips, a 15 percent gain. In Europe, the figures were up 28 percent at 95,000 TEUs and 24 percent at 1,049 trips.

China is also improving the ways it disinfects trains to enhance safety during transport and is drawing up a stronger contingency plan for any emergencies, Yuan said.

Editor: James Boynton