Quartz argues that China 's " One Belt , One Road " ( OBOR ) project , which was launched late in 2013 , is expensive and inefficient . Some experts say the train may cost up to twice as much as already - established rail freight due to the complexities from on - the - ground flaws , such as uninsulated containers . The author highlights the scale of containers that can be shipped on one vessel versus the trains , and the fact that as shipping rates continue to fall , the cost of the railway will only become more prohibitive . Further to the downside , while it may be faster , taking 18 days by rail compared to 30 by sea , the railway 's route through several unstable countries is perceived as being riskier . Some question whether the OBOR initiative is more geopolitical than logistical , or an alternative to what are seen as American - controlled waters , in the possible event of war or blockades .
Quartz reports that China's "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR) project, which was launched late in 2013, is expensive and inefficient. Logistics experts say the train may cost up to twice as much as already-established sea freight due to added complexities from on-the-ground flaws, such as uninsulated containers. The author highlights the scale of containers that can be shipped on one vessel versus the trains, and the fact that as shipping rates continue to fall, the cost of the railway will only become more prohibitive. Further to the downside, while it may be faster, taking 18 days by train compared to 30 by sea, the railway's route through several unstable countries is perceived as being riskier. Some question whether the OBOR initiative is more geopolitical than logistical, offering an alternative to what are seen as American-controlled waters, in the possible event of war or blockades.