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Chinese and South Korean shipping companies have introduced new container services through the Russian Arctic, using shorter summer routes between North Asia and Northern Europe.
The Northern Sea Route has experienced increased capacity this month as carriers add vessels to reduce congestion on traditional trade lanes. The seasonal services help ease pressure on the Asia-North Europe route, where delays and extended transits have become frequent.
New services cut transit times by half
New Legend, a Chinese carrier, will run eight near-weekly sailings on its Arctic Express Service this summer. The first voyage, aboard the 1,740 TEU container ship Dubai Tower, departs Ningbo-Zhoushan on August 15. Cargo from six Chinese ports—Dalian, Fuzhou, Nansha, Qingdao, Shanghai, and Taicang—will be consolidated before sailing directly to Felixstowe, UK.
UK freight forwarder Davies Turner, which has booked space on these vessels, stated the route shortens transit time between Ningbo-Zhoushan and Felixstowe to 21 days. That duration is about half that of current Asia-Europe services, many of which now reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.
Tony Cole, Davies Turner’s head of ocean freight, said global supply chains require more flexibility and resilience. He called the Polar Silk Road an effective option for time-sensitive shipments needing faster delivery than conventional ocean freight but without the expense of air transport.
A South Korean ferry operator has also entered the Arctic route with its first container ship, the 2,700 TEU PanStar Acro. The vessel, purchased from HMM in early August, will connect Busan to Northern Europe. Its first voyage leaves Busan Newport on August 22 and arrives in Felixstowe on September 9, an 18-day transit. After Felixstowe, the ship will call at Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Gdansk before returning via the same route.
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The company described the move as South Korea’s first container ship trial through the Arctic, marking a step forward in maritime logistics.
Arctic shipping grows
Another Chinese firm, New New Shipping, has deployed three vessels on similar routes, linking Chinese ports to Russia and Northern Europe. The expansion follows a rise in Arctic transits: in 2025, 103 voyages occurred on the NSR between June 30 and November 30. Container ships made up 15 of those trips, while tankers accounted for 34.
For shippers, the main benefit is faster transit without the cost of air freight. Reliability depends on ice conditions, which fluctuate yearly. Most firms are testing the route with a few sailings instead of committing to year-round service.
The growing interest indicates the NSR is gaining importance. For now, it serves as a specialized option for cargo that cannot tolerate delays.
New Legend’s service will operate until late October, while PanStar’s trial is a single test. Both have suggested future Arctic sailings may follow if demand and conditions allow.
