BEIJING — The China-Europe freight trains made more trips with expanded freight volume in the first quarter of 2020 as an important international transport vehicle for epidemic control supplies amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In the first quarter of this year, China-Europe freight trains made 1,941 trips and transported 174,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of freight, up 15 percent and 18 percent year-on-year, respectively, data from the China State Railway Group Co Ltd showed.

The freight trains made 809 trips and transported 73,000 TEUs of freight in March, both recording historic highs in a single month.

Noting that the freight train service runs in segments and does not involve personnel quarantine inspection, the company said they have become an important logistics channel to ensure smooth trade between China and Europe and transport of epidemic control supplies.

From the first train carrying epidemic control supplies departing on March 21 to the end of March, China-Europe freight trains sent 333,800 pieces of supplies totaling 494 tonnes to Europe.

Most of the trips were bound to Italy, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and the Netherlands.

Initiated in 2011, the China-Europe rail service is considered a significant part of the Belt and Road Initiative to boost trade between China and Europe.