New China to Europe rail link along the New Silk Road
The new Shandong-Europe Express train from Jinan arrived in Hamburg’s Billwerder Terminal for the first time today. It carried valuable and time-sensitive cargo from China to Europe along the New Silk Road.
The Shandong-Europe Express set out from Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, on April 10 on its way to Hamburg. The train is loaded with 41 40-foot containers (FEU) filled with wind turbine parts, LEDs, tools, and medical supplies.
Currently, the train operates only from China to Europe. The next departures from Jinan are scheduled for May 16 and 30. The freight train is operated by the Shandong Hi-Speed Group as part of their Qilu Europe-Asia freight traffic service.
“The Shandong Express arrived today in Hamburg in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. It is a powerful sign in trying times for all of us. We can only overcome the coronavirus by working together. We can only meet the challenges during and after the crisis by working together. We can only manage it together,” Chinese Consul General DU Xiaohui emphasized at the train’s arrival.
“Hamburg is not only a hub for ocean shipping with China, but also an important junction for rail traffic between Europe and China on the New Silk Road,” Axel Mattern, Executive Board Member of Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) stated.
