Xinhua News Agency, Hangzhou, September 22 (Reporter Wei Yijun) — It was learned from the Ningbo Zhoushan Port that on September 22, the port opened its first China-Europe Arctic Express Container Route. This marks the port’s first extension of a shipping route into the Arctic Ocean, providing strong support for foreign trade enterprises in expanding new international logistics channels.
Sun Xuejun, Chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group Co., Ltd., stated that the China-Europe Arctic Express is a container route via the Arctic opened for cross-border e-commerce and high-value-added goods. It is also an important practical achievement in the co-construction of the “Polar Silk Road”.
It is understood that the China-Europe Arctic Express takes the Arctic Northeast Passage directly to Europe. Compared to the approximately 25-day transit time of the China-Europe Railway Express, around 40 days via the Suez Canal, and about 50 days via the Cape of Good Hope route, the one-way transit time from Ningbo Zhoushan Port to Felixstowe Port is only 18 days. It is expected to arrive at the UK’s Felixstowe Port on October 10. This sets a new record for transit time, following the 26-day “China-Europe Express” route from Ningbo Zhoushan Port to Germany’s Wilhelmshaven Port opened at the end of 2024.
Zhou Xiaoping, Deputy Director of Daxie Customs under Ningbo Customs, introduced that the cargo on the maiden voyage includes daily necessities, clothing, parts, and other products, as well as “new three” products like energy storage cabinets and power batteries. After arriving at Felixstowe Port, the goods will be transported to various locations across Europe.
As one of the core carrier channels of the “Polar Silk Road,” the Arctic Northeast Passage traversed by the China-Europe Arctic Express is an emerging international shipping route connecting East Asia and Europe. It holds significant value for optimizing the global supply chain and promoting economic and trade cooperation along the route.
Li Xiaobin, Chief Operating Officer of Seajade Shipping (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., said that Seajade Shipping plans to deploy more ice-class strengthened vessel capacity by 2026, initially achieving fixed route arrangements during the summer navigation season. Through the construction of an ice-class strengthened container fleet, efforts will be made to realize year-round navigation on the China-Europe Arctic Route.
