The China-Central Asia freight train Qilu left Weihai Port on Aug 31, bound for Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan. 

It marked the start of Weihai's first direct China-Central Asia freight train route, which stretches for 6,114 kilometers.

The train is loaded with 43 freight cars, carrying a wide range of goods from mechanical equipment and constructing materials to automatic parts and light industrial products, worth $2.4 million.

The train will pass through Khorgos, Alma-Ata, Karaganda and Shymkent, reducing the transport time to Central Asia by nearly seven days compared with previous transshipment from other ports.

As the third international logistics route of Weihai Port, this new route further interconnects Shandong Peninsula with Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Europe.

In view of the unique location advantage of Weihai port, the train is scheduled to run once a week at the preliminary stage of operations. The period required for it to fully cultivate available markets is tentatively set for two years to ensure a solid foundation for the construction of another new transit route between Japan and South Korea.

"The launch of the freight train can effectively reduce the time and cost of goods transportation," said Lan Wei, the general manager of Shandong Panchang International Forwarding Co Ltd.

Lan added that the train is also conducive to further opening markets for Weihai commodities, providing forwarding companies with more chances to sell Weihai commodity to the more countries.

"We took a good step in bringing about a new phase of all-around two-way opening up with links running eastward and westward over land and sea," said Lu Ming, chairman of Weihai Port Co Ltd.

The freight train Qilu, heads for Central Asia from the Weihai Port in Shandong province, on Aug 31. [Photo/iqilu.com]

Weihai's first Central Asia cargo train departs from the Weihai Port, East China's Shandong province on Aug 31, bound for Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan. [Photo/iqilu.com]

The launch ceremony for the Qilu freight train at the Weihai Port, Shandong province, Aug 31. [Photo/iqilu.com]