People celebrate the truck's ongoing journey from Shandong province to Moscow. [Photo/WeChat account: weifangfabu]

A truck adorned with a banner reading "Transport International Router (TIR)" departed from a logistics company in Weifang, Shandong province, on Nov 14. It is set to reach the Russian capital of Moscow in seven days.

The truck is twice as fast as traditional road transport and four times as faster than rail, providing a major boost to Shandong's International logistics network.

TIR was established in 1949 by the International Road Transport Union as a globally recognized system for international customs transit and guarantees. It has facilitated international transport and trade by streamlining customs procedures and enhancing efficiency.

In 2016, China became the 70th contracting party to the United Nations' TIR Convention and officially implemented the system in China in 2018. Since then, TIR transport from China has connected directly to over 30 countries in Asia and Europe, allowing cross-border road freight transit distances of over 7,000 kilometers to be traversed in around two weeks.

Several cities in Shandong province, including Jinan, Qingdao, Weifang, Linyi, and Weihai, have successfully implemented TIR. It is rapidly advancing in cities across the province, not only enhancing cross-border logistics efficiency but also providing businesses with more international trade opportunities.

Looking ahead, with more cities and enterprises joining the ranks of TIR transport, the system will play an increasingly vital role in promoting regional economic integration and facilitating global trade. Shandong is gradually establishing an efficient and convenient international logistics network.