The German daily Die Welt cited Manfred Michel of China United International Railway Container Transport (CUIRC), the company which was to run the trains, and in which Deutsche Bahn owns a stake of eight percent.

Freight trains are expected to take 15 days to travel the 9,850 km (15,760 miles) between Berlin and Beijing. More expensive air cargo takes two to three days between Germany and China, while shipping by sea takes around 35 days.

"Cargo trains can't compete with sea freight, but for express goods or oversize volumes they do make sense," said Norbert Bensel, head of Deutsche Bahn's logistic operations.

Deutsche Bahn estimates initial annual sales of between 10 million and 20 million euros (15.8 to 31.6 million dollars) from the project.

The German rail operator is also set to be partially privatised by the end of the year.

It is in talks with the Russian railway RZD on a plan to take cross shareholdings. RZD is also Deutsche Bahn's main partner for the inter-continental connection between China and Germany.

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