The first intercontinental freight train in east China's Shandong Province has departed directly for Europe.

The train starts from Linyi City, and is set to make stops at the stations in China’s largest land port Manzhouli and the Russian capital of Moscow before arriving in Hamburg, Germany.

Trains are scheduled to depart from both directions every two days, and each trip will take 18 days.

Departure and destination stations would be adjusted according to changes in freight transport demand.

The trains are estimated to transport cargo of around 400-thousand tons with a trade volume of 2 billion yuan or 320 million U.S. dollars each year.