Jinan opens the first Europe-Asia freight train to Germany. [Photo/jinan.e23.cn]

The launch ceremony for the first Jinan-Hamburg freight train was held in Jinan, Shandong province on April 10.

The train, loaded with 41 containers of cargo valued at 24 million yuan ($3.41 million), departed from Jinan South Railway Station and headed to Europe via Erenhot. It will arrive in Hamburg, Germany in 20 days.

The train's cargo includes power generating equipment, solar energy accessories, plastic products, and daily necessities.

It was also loaded with 11.2 million yuan in epidemic prevention supplies, which were produced by local Jinan companies, to help Germany and surrounding countries in their epidemic prevention and control efforts.

The freight train, operated by Shandong Hi-speed Group, is a part of the Qilu Europe-Asia freight service.

The Eurasian freight train route from Jinan to Hamburg is the first to link Jinan with Western European countries.

The route will make it easier for enterprises to ship goods between Jinan and Europe, increase the city's openness to the outside world, and promote the Belt and Road Initiative in Shandong province.

As the novel coronavirus spreads around the world, the route also makes it easier to ship medical supplies to Europe.

To date, Jinan has opened six freight routes to 13 countries in Asia and Europe.