Malaysia bets on rail to shake up Europe-Asia trade routes

Malaysia’s RM492 million inland port in Perlis could become a pivotal hub in a new Europe-to-Asia rail corridor—offering exporters an alternative to unstable maritime routes. As shipping lanes remain volatile due to global conflicts, the Perlis Inland Port project is positioning rail as a faster, more resilient option for moving goods across continents.

Tied to broader Pan-Asian rail ambitions, the project aims to bridge Southeast Asia with Europe via China, tapping into the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU’s Traceca programme. With rail freight offering significant time savings—21 days vs 40 by sea—the shift could benefit sectors with high-value or time-sensitive cargo.

But infrastructure gaps, mismatched rail gauges, and cross-border regulatory hurdles remain major challenges. Success hinges on demand from European exporters and a unified logistics strategy. Still, early signs of regional rail momentum suggest a long-term transformation could be underway.

Read the full article to explore whether this bold rail strategy could rewrite the rules of global trade.