Container Storage in Xi'an, China — The Largest Dry Port and Railway Hub in Central China

Container Storage in Xi'an, China — The Largest Dry Port and Railway Hub in Central China

Xi'an is China's largest dry port and one of the country's most strategically vital logistics nodes. For UK importers, retailers, and supply chain managers, Xi'an represents a massive opportunity: it is the primary departure point for China-Europe Railway Express trains heading to mainland Europe and the UK, a powerful manufacturing center, and the hub where over 30% of all Europe-bound container trains are assembled.

My Containers provides container storage and handling services at partner depots in Xi'an — delivering comprehensive logistics solutions tailored to British businesses.

Why Xi'an Matters for UK Logistics

Status as China's Largest Dry Port

The Xi'an Dry Port is not just a container depot; it is the largest inland port in China, functioning as a fully-fledged international logistics hub that consolidates and processes cargo from virtually every region of the country. It forms and dispatches trains across a wide spectrum of international routes, primarily serving Central Asia, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), and the UK/European market.

The Kazakhstan-China depot — A Key Asset for Supply Chain Resilience

In February 2024, a joint Kazakhstan-China logistics depot began operations in Xi'an. This depot has become a major catalyst for rail freight growth and offers vital alternative routing for UK supply chains:

• depot capacity: 133,000 TEU annually.

• Throughput: Handled approximately 23,000 TEU (over 276,000 tonnes of cargo) in 2024.

• 2025 Growth: Processed and dispatched 10,524 TEU (126,288 tonnes) in the first four months of 2025 alone.

• Middle Corridor integration: Container traffic via the Trans-Caspian route has grown 33-fold since the depot opened, providing UK importers with crucial routing diversification.

• Future scale: Planned expansion to 83,000 TEU annually by 2030.

Rail Connectivity to Europe & the UK

Xi'an serves as a primary origin point for high-frequency block trains to major European rail hubs such as Duisburg, Hamburg, and Rotterdam. From these mainland European depots, cargo is rapidly transferred via the Channel Tunnel, short-sea ferries, or ro-ro services to UK gateways including Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway, and distribution centers across the Midlands.

• Transit time to European hubs: 15–18 days.

• Onward transit to the UK: 2–4 days via truck or rail.

• Total door-to-door transit: 18–24 days to UK warehouses — significantly faster than the 35–45 days required for ocean freight.

• Services accept single-container bookings, making rail freight accessible to UK SMEs and large retailers alike.

• Additional services include export declaration processing, cargo consolidation, stuffing, and door-to-door delivery.

A World-Class Manufacturing Center

Xi'an is far more than a logistics node; it is a powerhouse for manufacturing electronics, machinery, and consumer goods. The depot's primary shipping partners include major automotive and EV manufacturers — BYD, Geely, Chery, and Hongqi — alongside suppliers of electronics, solar panels, and metal goods. For the UK market, currently experiencing high demand for EVs, green energy components, and consumer electronics, Xi'an is the ideal point of origin.

Belt and Road Integration

As one of the first Chinese cities to integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative logistics network, Xi'an hosts a regional branch of the China State Railway Group, alongside numerous freight forwarders and container operators specializing in China-UK and China-Europe trade lanes.

Key depots and Storage Facilities in Xi'an

1. Kazakhstan-China Logistics depot (KTZ)

The flagship depot, opened in February 2024:

• Area: 6.7 hectares

• Container yard: 43,534 m²

• Covered warehouse: 4,680 m²

• Annual capacity: 133,000 TEU

• Provides a full spectrum of logistics services: cargo consolidation, storage, insurance, and customs clearance.

• Operates on a "door-to-door" model, including first-mile and last-mile technologies.

2. Xi'an International Port

China's largest dry port, located within the Xi'an International Port Zone:

• The primary departure point for China-Europe freight trains.

• Integrated with "rail + sea" multimodal transport networks.

• Forms routes connecting Xi'an to European hubs that serve the UK market.

3. Beibu Gulf Dry Port

Opened in December 2023 within the Xi'an International Port:

• Area: 8,000 m²

• Located adjacent to the China-Europe train assembly center.

• Provides container intake, return, storage, devanning, and stuffing services.

• Connects Xi'an to the Beibu Gulf ports via regular rail shuttles.

• Operates under a pilot VAT refund policy for exports originating from the dry port.

4. My Containers Partner Container Yards

My Containers collaborates with several major operators in Xi'an possessing dedicated container yard capacity.

My Containers Partner Services at Xi'an depots

Our partner depots and yards in Xi'an offer a comprehensive suite of services for UK cargo owners and container fleet operators:

1. Container Storage

• Secure storage of empty and laden containers (20ft, 40ft, reefers) at guarded facilities.

• Container yards spanning over 43,000 m² near the Kazakhstan-China depot, plus additional space at the Beibu Gulf dry port.

• Covered warehousing for goods stored inside containers.

• Flexible rate structures based on volume and storage duration.

2. Value-Added Services

• Photo documentation and condition inspection of containers at intake and release.

• Container repair and maintenance.

• PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) testing for reefers.

• Integration with the SCAT tracking system.

3. Delivery Routes to the UK

While we do not operate carriage services ourselves, our partner container depots are used to consolidate empty and laden containers for the following popular UK-bound routes:

• China-Europe Railway Express to Mainland Europe + Truck to UK: Direct rail to Duisburg or Rotterdam, followed by rapid trucking via the Channel Tunnel or ferries to UK distribution centers (18–24 days total).

• Multimodal "Rail + Sea" via the North Sea/Baltic: Xi'an → Kazakhstan → Russia/Belarus → European ports (e.g., Rotterdam, Antwerp) → short-sea shipping to Felixstowe, Southampton, or London Gateway.

• Middle Corridor Routing: Rail to the Caspian Sea → ferry to Baku → rail through Turkey and into Europe → onward to the UK. Ideal for shippers seeking to diversify away from traditional northern transit routes.

Advantages of Routing Through Xi'an for UK Importers

• Speed to Market: The rail journey from Xi'an to European hubs takes just 15–18 days, with onward delivery to the UK in 2–4 days. This is vastly faster than the 35–45 days required for ocean freight, enabling UK retailers to react swiftly to market trends.

• Access to Central China's Manufacturing Base: Xi'an is the epicenter of EV production (BYD, Geely), electronics, and consumer goods. Storing cargo directly at the manufacturer's local dry port slashes inland Chinese trucking costs and reduces lead times.

• Supply Chain Resilience: With the Kazakhstan-China depot boosting Middle Corridor capacity, UK importers have reliable alternative routing options that bypass geopolitical bottlenecks.

• Scale and Growth: Container traffic volumes have grown 33-fold since the new depot opened, with capacity expanding to 83,000 TEU by 2030. Xi'an is a future-proof node for UK supply chains.

Why My Containers Is Your Trusted Partner in Xi'an

• Access to all key depots: Our partner container yards are located in close proximity to the primary rail hubs.

• Competitive rates on storage, transshipment, and depot operations.

• Dedicated account manager for every project — a single point of contact for all inquiries.

To request a current rate for container storage or handling in Xi'an, submit an inquiry to our team. 

*The information on this page does not constitute a public offer.

*My Containers is a partner of My Way.