A special freight train departed Zhengzhou in central China's Henan province on Oct 10 – marking the launch of a new service and the development of a multimodal transport network in the province with the city at the center, according to local officials.

They said the train, which carried 66 containers, was the first to operate on the new Zhengzhou-Qingdao freight service.

After a 26-hour journey, it arrived at the coastal city of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province.

It pulled into Qingdao Port, operated by Shandong Port Group Co Ltd, where the containers were transferred for shipping to European countries.

SPG officials said the Zhengzhou-Qingdao freight train service – with the trading name of Evergreen – was the result of moves made by SPG subsidiary Shandong Port Logistics, Evergreen Marine Corporation and China Railway Group to pursue integrated development.

They added that the launch of the train service marked the building of a multimodal transport network for Shandong Port Logistics Group, with Zhengzhou as the center and capable of reaching the surrounding areas of Henan province.

SPG officials said the new service was launched against the backdrop of a major national strategy: the environmental  protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin.

They added that to ensure the regular operation of the Zhengzhou-Qingdao freight train, interested parties -- railways, ports, shipping companies and companies -- have leveraged their respective advantages and forged synergies to build a logistics thoroughfare, providing whole-process logistics services.

Officials said that relying on the multimodal port transport platform, Shandong Port Logistics Group has provided a new logistics model featuring streamlined procedures, efficient transport and low-cost logistics for import and export businesses in Henan.

They said that moving forwards, Shandong Port Logistics Group will continue to promote in-depth cooperation with shipping companies, railways and enterprises.

It will also join hands with local governments and customs to establish a multimodal network for inland ports, with a similar function to coastal ports.

Officials said this points to better services, for a new development architecture with domestic economic flows as the mainstay and mutual reinforcement of domestic and international circulations.