A freight information system due for trial run on Monday is expected to streamline China's cargo deliveries, according to reports.

The number of trucks sent back from deliveries empty or with deficient goods is on the rise, said Wang Derong, vice-chairman of the China Communications and Transportation Association, at a press conference yesterday.

Statistics show that about 548 billion ton-kilometers of freight were shipped by truck last year. One ton-kilometer measures the total amount of cargo traveled over the total distance.

However, cargo coming to 170 billion ton-kilometers of the total did not make it to its destination as planned, causing losses of more than 31 billion yuan (3.7 U.S. dollars).

Wang attributed the failure to the small scale of freight enterprises and the lack of shipment information.

He said that the operation of the national cargo information network taking effect on Monday will solve the problem.

Shippers can dial the "126" hotline to ask for services, while carriers can get the latest freight information via special phones.

A national Internet-based data exchange system will also be set up to facilitate all parties get the same information. The service can be expanded to the railroad, sea lanes and air cargo as well, according to Wang.