Chinese Shipping Companies Set Sail On Arctic Routes To Shorten Europe Trade Times

06/08/2025

“The Expansion of Arctic Shipping: New Entrants and Innovative Services Shaping Faster Trade Routes”

SHIPPING NEWS | 11

Chinese Shipping Companies Set Sail on Arctic Routes to Shorten Europe Trade Times

Introduction: The Rise of Arctic Container Shipping

As the Arctic summer navigation season picks up pace, Chinese shipping companies are increasingly turning to the Northern Sea Route (NSR) to streamline their trade between China and Europe. By bypassing traditional routes like the Suez Canal, these companies are significantly cutting down travel time, offering a faster, more efficient alternative for container shipping.

Newnew Shipping Expands Its Arctic Services

One of the leaders in Arctic container shipping, Newnew Shipping, has been enhancing its Arctic capabilities since 2023. Last year, the company completed 13 voyages along the Northern Sea Route, transporting approximately 20,000 containers. As the demand for faster European trade rises, Newnew Shipping has expanded its fleet in the region, with two container ships currently making Arctic transits and at least three more vessels slated for future Arctic operations.

Newnew Polar Bear Returns to Arctic Waters

The Newnew Polar Bear departed Shanghai on July 16, with a route that included a stopover in Nakhodka Bay, Russia, before heading towards the Russian port of Arkhangelsk. This marks the vessel’s return to the Arctic following its involvement in a high-profile incident in the Baltic Sea in 2023. During the Balticconnector event, the ship’s anchor caused significant damage to seafloor infrastructure, an issue currently under legal investigation in China.

Newnew Star: Faster Transit Time to Europe

The Newnew Star, a 3,534 TEU container ship, left Tianjin on July 20 for a four-week journey to Saint Petersburg. This is a stark contrast to the traditional Suez Canal route, which takes approximately 40-50 days. The Arctic shortcut reduces the overall transit time by more than half, giving shippers a significant logistical advantage.

New Entrants to Arctic Shipping: Fujian Huihai Shipping Co Ltd

In addition to established players like Newnew Shipping, new companies are beginning to explore the Arctic route. For instance, Fujian Huihai Shipping Co Ltd has launched its Arctic operations with the Hui Da 9, a 2,500 TEU feeder vessel. This ship left Saint Petersburg on July 20 for Rizhao, China, marking the company’s first venture into the Northern Sea Route. By utilizing the Arctic shortcut, the company is able to reduce its journey time by approximately three weeks compared to conventional routes.

The Arctic Fleet Expands

At least a dozen container vessels are now authorized to use the Northern Sea Route, including returning ships such as the Newnew Panda 1, Xin Xin Tian 2, and Istanbul Bridge (formerly Flying Fish 1). The Istanbul Bridge made history last year as the first Panamax container ship to travel through the Arctic, boasting a capacity of 4,890 TEU.

New Service Launch by Sea Legend Shipping

Adding to the growing list of operators in the Arctic shipping scene, Sea Legend Shipping—a niche Chinese operator—plans to start its own liner service between China and northern Europe next month. The new service will offer a rapid 18-day journey, connecting key ports in China, including Qingdao, Shanghai, and Ningbo, with European ports like Felixstowe (UK), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), and Gdansk (Poland).

This new service will be notable for using both low ice-class and non-ice-class vessels, depending on the season and route conditions.

Arctic Shipping: A Seasonal Opportunity with Potential for Year-Round Operations

Currently, Arctic container shipping is limited to the summer months, typically between July and November. However, plans are underway to extend the season and potentially offer year-round service along the Northern Sea Route by 2030. Newnew Shipping is already making strides in this direction. In partnership with Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, the company is working on building Arc7 ice-class container ships capable of operating in harsher winter conditions. These vessels will have a capacity of 4,400 TEU, and Newnew Shipping is exploring shipyards in Russia and China to facilitate their construction.

Conclusion: A New Era for Global Shipping?

The idea of establishing year-round Arctic shipping corridors is still in its infancy. While Russian officials have repeatedly announced plans to make the route operational throughout the winter months, only a handful of test voyages have been successfully conducted. Nonetheless, with the ongoing investments and expansion of services by companies like Newnew Shipping and Sea Legend Shipping, the future of Arctic container shipping looks promising.

For more information on the challenges and opportunities in Arctic shipping, visit our Shipping Companies News section to stay updated on the latest developments in the industry.