Sea Legend to Launch First Direct Arctic Shipping Route Between China and Europe

Chinese-controlled shipping firm Sea Legend is set to initiate the first direct container route connecting China and Europe through the Arctic’s North Sea Route (NSR) this week, significantly shortening transit times and lowering emissions.

According to a statement from Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the vessel Istanbul Bridge will depart on September 24 from Ningbo Zhoushan and is expected to arrive at Felixstowe, the United Kingdom’s largest container port, by October 10. This voyage is projected to last about 18 days, nearly halving the usual shipping time via traditional routes around the Cape of Good Hope, which typically take 40 or more days.

The accessibility of the Arctic's NSR has increased in recent years due to rapid warming, as sea ice has diminished substantially. Over the last four decades, the Arctic has warmed at a rate nearly four times that of the global average, enabling seasonal navigation through previously inaccessible waters.

Reducing shipping distances through this route is also anticipated to cut carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 50%, according to Ningbo Zhoushan Port. However, while shorter transit times reduce fuel consumption and emissions on a per-voyage basis, experts caution that increased Arctic maritime traffic elevates environmental risks. These include potential disturbances to marine ecosystems, heightened risks to marine mammals, and operational challenges due to extreme weather conditions and sparse infrastructure.

Previously, the fastest express shipping from China to Europe took 26 days, traveling from Ningbo Zhoushan to Wilhelmshaven, Germany. That route began operations last year, underscoring a growing trend toward faster and more efficient Arctic shipping lanes.

Requests for further comment from Ningbo Zhoushan Port have not yet been answered.