Report: Shandong commodity transport to shift from road to rail by 2020

SHANGHAI, Oct 16 (SMM) – Shandong province in north China will shift the transport of mineral ore, coke, and other commodities, that will be transported 400 km or more, from road to rail by 2020, according to the province's department of transportation.

The province also plans to make the road-to-rail switch for coal transport from its major ports, by the end of 2018.

This move is in response to China's three-year anti-pollution target to reduce emission from the transportation sector. It is also part of the Blue Skies initiative in smog-prone north China. 

Shandong has introduced advanced transportation systems, such as a mixed-mode commuting system that uses two or more modes of transport in a journey. 

For road transport, provincial authorities will eliminate the use of vehicles of China III emission standards and promote the use of highly secure trucks with low emissions. The province will also implement the China VI emission standards for motor vehicles, from July 1, 2019.

The China VI emission standard for new, heavy vehicles is compared to the Euro VI emission standard. The Chinese standard will impose diesel particulate filters on all new, diesel-powered heavy vehicles that are introduced into the market after July 2021. This standard ensures soor-free emissions from new, heavy vehicles in China.