Shandong's first China-Europe freight train operating on a full timetable departed from the Dongjia Railroad Freight Transportation Center in Jinan on Nov 20, and is expected to reach Budapest, Hungary, in 12 days.

Operating every two weeks, these trains cut transit time by 30 percent compared to regular services, offering enterprises a reliable and predictable logistics framework that lowers storage and operational costs and supports export growth.

Launched in October 2022, the full timetable service enables China–Europe freight trains to run on fixed schedules, including designated train numbers, routes, and set departure and arrival times across countries along the route. So far, more than 1,000 trains have run on fixed schedules.

Jinan is one of nine Chinese cities authorized to operate China-Europe freight trains on fixed schedules, highlighting the city's rapid growth in train operations, stable cargo supply, and increasing demand. As of Nov 7, Jinan had operated 1,030 trains this year, up 13 percent year-on-year.

To further support enterprises, Jinan has developed a train brand dedicated to transporting goods along the Yellow River in Shandong, handling over 20,000 standard containers through 16 rail freight assembly hubs. Meanwhile, Jinan Customs has optimized clearance and supervision procedures, implementing fast-track clearance and one-stop services.

Shandong's first China-Europe freight train operating on a full timetable departs from Jinan on Nov 20. [Photo/Dazhong News]