Finland’s foray into the New Silk Road economic project linking Europe with the Far East has officially commenced with the departure of a timber-laden train from the southeastern city of Kouvola to Xi’an in north west China via Kazakhstan and Russia. The 9,110 kilometre service, with 41 containers being pulled by twin Vectro VR locomotives, is the first rail link between China and this Nordic region.

Electronic devices, spare parts, and agricultural specialties such as blueberry and salmon are also among the exports destined for Far East consumers, with equivalent cargoes also coming the other way to the Nordic region. Antti Häkkänen, Finland’s Minister of Justice, said he was ‘extremely pleased’ to see the new route opening between Kouvola and China: “Major global trends, such as digitalisation, automation and sustainable development, are going to have a significant impact also on the logistics and transport services of the future,” he said. “The new route will enhance the efficiency of transportation and bring a competitive edge to rail transport. I am convinced that this new Silk Road between Finland and China will prosper and flourish.”