CHANGCHUN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The first Changchun-Hamburg freight train departed Friday morning from Changchun International Port in northeast China's Jilin Province.

The train is operated by China Railway Container Transport Corp., Ltd. It is carrying 42 containers, with products including auto parts and textiles, from the logistics base to Hamburg, Germany.

It will take between 12 to 15 days to reach its destination, passing through Manzhouli in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as well as Russia, Belarus, Poland and Belgium, with a maximum speed of up to 120 kilometers per hour.

Changchun International Port was also officially opened Friday morning. The port is expected to become a vital hub for the Belt and Road Initiative, linking important railway lines in northeastern China.

The port will help Jilin, one of China's old industrial bases, better integrate into the world economy.

The launch of the Changchun-Hamburg freight route will also promote Jilin's industries, such as international trade, machinery and food processing, while providing more opportunities, capital and technology for the province, said Li Zheng from Jilin University.