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The coronavirus pandemic has increased global demand for electronic devices. As more global consumers are working and studying remotely, they are increasingly eager to buy electronics and computer components. In 2020, Hungarian electronic equipment export volume rose by 4.98% year-on-year and were worth a total of US$29.27 billion according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The demand for consumer electronics shows no signs of slowing down. Moreover, Hungary is one of the leading countries in terms of 5G network development and operation. In the last quarter alone, the AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG team oversaw a transport project involving over 250 containers of 5G network infrastructure devices sent from China to Hungary.
Vladyslav Martin
“The entire project was carried out in cooperation with a Chinese state-owned enterprise. The equipment was transported from the Chongqing terminal in China to Poland by train. We were responsible for the distribution of the devices from the Agrostop and Europort terminals in Malaszewicze, Poland, to Hungary. Over the last year, we have been working on a number of important Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry equipment projects. The cargo – mainly processors, power cables, switches and servers – was reloaded from trains into trucks at the border transshipment port of Malaszewicze with a container trailer and sent on through Slovakia to Hungary,” says Vladyslav Martin, Head of Europe & China Rail Operations at AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG.
The cargo from China comes by rail before being transported by road from Poland to local towns around Budapest in Hungary. The Polish reloading terminal in Malaszewicze is the main distribution point for the 5G network equipment.
Stanislau Martynau
“In this type of project, the main challenges include ensuring the simultaneous availability of the necessary vehicles and quickly preparing customs clearance documentation. In addition to collecting the goods and delivering them to their final destinations, AsstrA experts complete and submit transit declarations. Thanks to our customs office subsidiary in Brest and our well-developed partner network, the AsstrA team ensures on-time deliveries even as shipment volumes continue to rise,” emphasizes Stanislau Martynau, Specialist in the AsstrA Operations Department’s Rail Freight Transportation Group.
The high value and temperature sensitivity of high-tech industry products require special attention when shipping them. In 2020-2021, the goods in this category most frequently shipped by AsstrA included parts and accessories for information processing machines (21.7% of shipments), TVs, monitors, and projectors (16.1%), power generation sets (13.5 %), air or vacuum pumps, compressors and fans (12.2%), and consumer electronics like refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, and electric stoves (12.1%).
Botond Kovacs-Mate
“When transporting electronics, we take three types of security measures. First, mechanical and electronic security systems prevent unauthorized persons from opening loads. Second, telematics systems ensure that only the recipients with dedicated codes can access the cargo. Third, our drivers park only in guarded lots with 24/7 monitoring. Such solutions guarantee the highest level of security for the cargo at every step of the delivery process”, shares Botond Kovacs-Mate, AsstrA Hungary Branch & Country Manager.