An international multi-modal train carrying goods from Song Than Station in southern Binh Duong province to China officially set out on September 27, the Kinh te & Do thi (Economy & Urban) online newspaper has reported.

The train consists of 19 carriages carrying about 500 tons of tapioca starch. It departed from Song Than Station and is scheduled to arrive in Putian, Zhengzhou, in the Chinese province of Henan on October 5.

Chairman of Vietnam Railway (VNR)’s Board of Members Dang Sy Manh said this is the first time Song Than Station has been directly involved in the import-export activities of Binh Duong province. VNR will direct rail transport companies to increase the operation of more trains on this route based on actual demand, he said.

The Ministry of Transport is conducting projects to upgrade Song Than Station. Once completed, the station will be capable of handling 3.5 million tons of cargo a year in the 2025-2030 period, becoming the biggest cargo train station in Vietnam’s railway network.

Song Than Station handled over 1.6 million tons of cargo last year.

Head of the Binh Duong Department of Customs Nguyen Tran Hieu said the use of Song Than Station for import and export activities will offer more options for businesses and meet their cargo transportation needs at a reasonable cost. It will also help boost the import and export revenue of the province and nearby localities.