World’s First China-Europe Arctic Express Launched, Cutting Transit Time To 18 Days

China has launched the world’s first China-Europe Arctic Express, a major step for the “Polar Silk Road” that aims to transform trade between Asia and Europe.

On Monday, the container ship Istanbul Bridge departed from the Beiyi Container Terminal at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang province, embarking on its maiden voyage to Felixstowe, the United Kingdom’s largest container port. The vessel is carrying over 1,000 containers and will sail via the Northern Sea Route (NSR), which is expected to greatly shorten transit time.

The 4,890-TEU vessel, built in 2000, is operated by Hong Kong-based Safetrans Line under the Chinese-invested company Sea Legend. Its exhaust gas scrubber status is currently “pending.”

The new China-Europe Arctic Express offers a direct link between Chinese ports such as Qingdao, Dalian, Shanghai, and Ningbo and Western Europe. Sea Legend said the transit time from Ningbo-Zhoushan to Felixstowe will take about 18 days, far shorter than alternative routes.

For comparison, the same voyage via the Suez Canal would take over 40 days, while a route via the Cape of Good Hope would add another 10 days, making it more than 50 days in total. Even China-Europe Railway Express takes more than 25 days.

According to Sea Legend, this new service will not only enhance supply chain speed but also reduce business inventory requirements by around 40% and lower capital costs. Li Xiaobin, COO of Sea Legend, added that the service provides a safer, more stable option for trade by passing through politically stable waters, reducing the risks of piracy, congestion, and geopolitical tensions.

The route also promises environmental benefits, with claims that it could cut carbon emissions by about 50% compared to traditional detours. However, environmental experts have raised concerns about possible damage to fragile polar ecosystems and the safety risks of navigating the NSR with vessels that are not fully ice-class certified.

A launch ceremony for the route, dubbed the “Polar Silk Road,” was held in Ningbo on Monday. China has indicated plans to expand the service into a year-round operation by 2030, despite ice build-up during winter months currently limiting it to seasonal sailings.

The Istanbul Bridge is expected to arrive in the UK by October 10, strategically aligning the route with Europe’s pre-Christmas stocking-up season.

The China-Europe Arctic Express is a key part of China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to strengthen Asia-Europe trade links while improving supply chain resilience and safety.

Reference: China Daily

Source: Maritime Shipping News