In early April 2025, the Belgian group Ziegler initiated a rail connection linking China and Europe, offering a transit time of 17 to 18 days and final delivery at its own hub in Welkenraedt, Belgium. The service, called Consol Box China-Welkenraedt, uses high-priority trains to ensure speed and punctuality. A GPS tracking system enables customers to monitor the position of their cargo throughout the entire journey. Flexibility is a key feature, with the option to choose between full and partial loads. Additionally, Ziegler manages the collection of goods from any location in China and oversees every stage of the transport process, including customs clearance and final road delivery.
Once the cargo reaches Welkenraedt, it is distributed through the company’s European network, which provides warehousing, customs and delivery services to all major destinations across the continent, from the United Kingdom to France, from Germany to other European markets. On the Asian side, Ziegler has extended its logistics connections to Japan and South Korea through a combination of sea and air freight, integrated with road services to reach consolidation points within China. Similarly, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam contribute to the freight flow towards the departure terminal in China via direct road links.
Founded in 1908 in Brussels, the Ziegler Group is a leading player in the international transport sector, with an annual turnover of 1.3 billion euros. Despite its scale – with more than 3,200 employees operating in 155 branches across 16 countries – the company has retained its family-run character. Specialising in multimodal transport, Ziegler offers integrated solutions by road, sea, air, rail and inland waterways, with a particular focus on the chemical, cosmetics, fashion and aerospace sectors. Its extensive European network ensures daily departures to destinations such as Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, while the Belgian division, with offices in Aalst, Kortrijk, Ghent and Welkenraedt, forms the core of the company’s operations.
