The inaugural Shanxi-Guangdong multimodal transport train departed from Zhongding Logistics Park in Jinzhong, a city located in North China's Shanxi province on June 26.

The train, carrying 30 containers loaded with local specialty products including aged vinegar, was scheduled to arrive at Guangzhou International Port in Guangzhou – capital of China South Guangdong province – within 48 hours.

The Shanxi-Guangdong multimodal transport train sets out on its first trip. [Photo/Yellow River News]

The new service is said to represent a major step forwards in bolstering Shanxi's characteristic professional towns and in improving the movement of regional products to wider markets.

The train's cargo will mainly consist of goods produced in key professional towns in Shanxi, showcasing the province's unique offerings and enhancing its brand recognition.

To meet the high-efficiency demands of Shanxi-Guangdong multimodal transport, China Railway Taiyuan Group Co is running the train on a direct station-to-station model, reducing the 2,200-kilometer journey to within 48 hours. That's a 60-percent reduction compared with regular freight trains, significantly lowering the logistics times and costs for cargo owners.

The Shanxi-Guangdong multimodal transport train sets out on its first trip. [Photo/Yellow River News]

Moving forwards, plans are for the Shanxi-Guangdong multimodal train to operate twice a week, provide efficient transport support for optimizing logistics networks, improve logistics efficiency and promote the allocation of resources between regions.

This is expected to further strengthen the comprehensive commercial links that already exist between Shanxi and Guangdong provinces.