Business · Trade · 12 hrs ago
First Open-Top Rail Shipment of Alumina Heads from Henan to Xinjiang
A train carrying 2,800 tonnes of alumina left Mianchi in Henan for Xinjiang on October 26.
It was the first shipment of alumina to Xinjiang using open-top containers, according to the railway operator.
Alumina is a key material for producing aluminium and is also used in ceramics, chemicals and other industries.
The material can be damaged by moisture, while the route also passes through windy areas of Xinjiang.
To protect it, the cargo was wrapped in waterproof bags rather than relying on tarpaulins over the open containers.
The new method allows containers used for incoming raw materials to be reused for alumina, reducing congestion and delays at stations in the Sanmenxia area.
The railway operator said it will continue developing freight services around companies’ needs.
China’s first open-top container train carrying alumina to Xinjiang departed from Mianchi station in Henan on October 26.
Train 33099 left at 17:55 carrying 2,800 tonnes of alumina.
The shipment uses waterproof bags around the alumina packages to protect them from moisture.
The new method is intended to ease busy-season transport and improve the use of containers and station facilities.
Railway officials said the approach could provide a model for future alumina shipments.
- Who
- China Railway Zhengzhou Group operated the train, with alumina supplied by a company in Sanmenxia, Henan.
- What
- The first open-top container train carrying alumina to Xinjiang departed with 2,800 tonnes.
- When
- October 26, 2026, at 17:55.
- Where
- It left Mianchi station in Henan and headed toward Xinjiang.
- Why
- The new loading method is intended to protect alumina from moisture, meet busy-season transport needs and improve logistics efficiency.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Alumina was shipped in 20-foot general-purpose containers, while bauxite used open-top containers.
Train 33099 left Mianchi station carrying 2,800 tonnes of alumina bound for Xinjiang.
- Train
- 33099
- Cargo
- 2,800 tonnes of alumina
- Departure
- October 26, 2026, at 17:55
- Origin
- Mianchi station, Henan
- Destination
- Xinjiang direction
- Loading method
- Waterproof bags wrapped around alumina packages
1 source
What people are saying
Alumina is easily affected by moisture and fears damp damage; previously, we always used 20-foot general-purpose containers for shipping.