The Port of Felixstowe in eastern England welcomed the “Istanbul Bridge” on the night of October 13, 2025 — the first vessel to operate on the China-Europe Arctic container express route. Departing from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in eastern China, the ship completed its 20-day voyage carrying about 4,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo.
This new route provides a significant time advantage compared to approximately 25 days by the China-Europe Railway Express, around 40 days via the Suez Canal, and about 50 days around the Cape of Good Hope. The shorter voyage also helps significantly reduce carbon emissions, contributing to global climate goals and sustainable development.
According to Li Xiaobin, Chief Operating Officer of Sea Legend Line Limited, which operates the route, the ship mainly carried lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products. Li noted that the Arctic route’s low temperatures make it suitable for transporting heat-sensitive and high-precision goods. The company spent three years preparing for this route, upgrading vessel hardware and conducting specialized training for the crew.
Captain Zhong Desheng described the journey as one of the most exciting voyages in his 18-year maritime career, adding that the ship encountered Storm Amy in the Norwegian Sea on October 8 and arrived two days later than planned after slowing down for safety reasons.
Officials from Sea Legend Line highlighted that the Arctic Northeast Passage is emerging as a new major trade route linking Asia and Europe, with great potential to shorten global supply chains and boost trade efficiency. The company plans to deploy more ice-class vessels in 2026 to establish a regular summer schedule, while expanding its express services to Eastern Europe during the winter non-navigable period.