Yiwu in Jinhua, Zhejiang province launches the first timetabled China-Europe freight train on June 15. [Photo/Tide News]

The 8188 China-Europe freight train, loaded with 110 standard containers of daily necessities, clothing, footwear, and electronic products, departed from the Yiwu West Railway Station in Yiwu, Jinhua, Zhejiang province on June 15.

The train is heading for Duisburg, Germany, marking the successful launch of the first timetabled China-Europe freight train from the Yangtze River Delta region.

A timetabled China-Europe freight train operates according to a schedule agreed upon by the railways of the countries along the route, including specific train numbers, routes, frequencies, and fixed departure, border crossing, and arrival times both domestically and internationally.

The timetabled operation ensures more stable transport efficiency, which is designed to contribute to the high-quality, efficient, and safe development of China-Europe freight trains. It also helps to maintain the stability and smooth operation of international supply chains and industrial chains.

Each week, one train is scheduled to depart from Yiwu to Duisburg, and one will return from Duisburg to Yiwu. The outbound train departs from Yiwu West Railway Station every Saturday, while the return train departs from Duisburg every Friday. The train travels through countries such as Kazakhstan and Germany, covering a total distance of 11,505 kilometers. The journey time has been significantly reduced from the original 19 days to just 13 days, greatly enhancing transport efficiency.

As of now, the Yiwu platform for China-Europe freight trains operates direct international freight routes to 19 destinations, including the five Central Asian countries, Spain, and Germany. These routes cover more than 50 countries and over 160 cities across the Eurasian continent, achieving connectivity from the Pacific to the Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.

The launch of the timetabled Yiwu-Duisburg freight train aims to continue to drive the high-quality development of the Yiwu platform for China-Europe freight trains. This initiative will further deepen economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, playing a positive role in promoting the new development pattern of dual circulation, which mutually reinforces domestic and international markets, noted a local official.