The first express freight train to take goods direct from Shanghai to Munich in Germany has been launched by the China-Europe express railway today. Carrying over 27 million US dollars worth of goods, the train will travel through six countries, reaching Munich in 17 days. 

The express train takes only one third of the time spent shipping goods from Shanghai to Munich.  Since it began operation two years ago, the railway has transported over 6 billion dollars worth of goods between Asia and Europe. 

WANG JINQIU, Chairman of Shanghai Orient Silk Road International Transport Service "We launch the direct trains to Munich to meet the needs of European clients. It has significant time and cost advantages over land transportation through Hamburg and Duisburg. Munich is an industrial city, so this shipment is seven assembly lines with new generation mechanical information equipment integrated, which is beneficial for the development of local enterprises." 

YANG YONG, General Manager, Shanghai E&P International "China-Europe Express is an extension of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Shanghai Customs has opened a dedicated window for the China-Europe train, providing electronic documents and financial services. This is a result of the China International Import Expo, and will better support the national development of the Belt and Road Initiative. As the production base in the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai can play a better role in the Belt and Road Initiative."

TANG JIE, General Manager of Int'l Dept., Bank of Communications Shanghai Branch "Financially speaking, we provide a comprehensive ecosystem of services for the China-Europe Express. By connecting with the enterprise operation system, we can quickly deal with payment, financing and other needs. Moreover, the authenticity of trade can be verified through system data interaction, laying the foundation for subsequent financial regulation."