First China-Europe freight train from Wuhan arrives in Germany since COVID-19 outbreak

By Agencies Published: Apr 15, 2020 01:48 PM

A China-Europe freight train bound for Duisburg of Germany pulls out of the Wuhan terminal of China Railway Intermodal in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, March 28, 2020.Photo:Xinhua

A China-Europe freight train from Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province and once the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, on Tuesday arrived in its destination -- the western German city of Duisburg.

It was the first China-Europe freight train from Wuhan after the city was placed under lockdown for almost 11 weeks from January due to the COVID-19 outbreak, marking the resumption of China-Europe freight services in Wuhan.

The train left Wujiashan railway container center station in Wuhan on March 28.

A China-Europe freight train bound for Duisburg of Germany pulls out of the Wuhan terminal of China Railway Intermodal in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, March 28, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

In Duisburg, the welcome ceremony of the train was attended by China Consul General in Dusseldorf Feng Haiyang, Transport Minister of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia Hendrik Wuest and Chief Executive Officer of Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport) Erich Staake.

According to Wuhan Asia-Europe Logistics, operator of the train, the goods on the train include medical supplies, auto parts, electronic products, and optical communication fibers, among others.

Aerial photo taken on March 28, 2020 shows a China-Europe freight train bound for Duisburg of Germany pulling out of the Wuhan terminal of China Railway Intermodal in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. Photo:Xinhua

After the arrival, the goods will then be distributed to Germany, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland.

According to the operator, freight train services between Wuhan and Europe are planned to operate twice a week westbound and once a week eastbound.

Last year, Wuhan recorded a total of 408 China-Europe freight train trips, among which 195 were outbound trips and 213 inbound trips.