The departure of an intermodal freight train, loaded with 57 carriages of paper pulp, from Qingdao Port to Pinggu, Beijing, marks the beginning of a new intermodal train service. This service, the 101st service of Shandong Port Group (SPG) promises to further facilitate the inter-connectivity within the Beijing-Qingdao twin city economic circle.

An intermodal freight train loaded with 57 carriages of paper pulp departs from Qingdao Port en route to Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

Beijing's Pinggu district is a pivotal node within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei city cluster and is committed to developing a high-standard opening-up gateway. At the heart of this endeavor lies SPG Logistics Group, which serves as a core vehicle for SPG to integrate logistics resources, build a full-range logistics system and innovate modern logistics business forms. It has proactively synergized with Beijing Jingping International Land Port by fully tapping into the resource advantages of ports. This has led to the launch of the "SPG Qingdao Port-Pinggu Beijing" intermodal train service and extended port services towards inland port areas. 

The train's total journey now spans 32 hours, which is faster, more efficient, and 10 percent lower logistics costs.

Going forward, SPG Logistics Group plans to maximize the bridging role of intermodal trains. Furthermore, to effectively reduce logistics costs on a wider scale, it will collaborate with port-related institutions such as customs, railways, and shipping companies to build a full range of logistic corridors for coastal and inland port regions. This strategic move aims to stabilize industrial and supply chain resilience and better serve and integrate into the new development pattern.