SHIJIAZHUANG - A direct sea and rail freight service between the Republic of Korea (ROK), China and Mongolia was launched Wednesday, cutting transport time by nearly half.

On Wednesday morning, a train carrying 100 containers departed from Qinhuangdao port in North China's Hebei province for Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, marking the opening of the new route, according to local customs.

Previously, containers from the ROK were transported by ships to Qinhuangdao Port, and then went through several train transfers before arriving in Ulan Bator. The new service allows the trains to travel directly to Ulan Bator, reducing the route by four days.

The train, with a designed volume of 100 standard containers, is scheduled to depart every Wednesday.