A Chinese containership Istanbul Bridge has reached the UK via the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route in just 20 days – the fastest-ever Asia-Europe passage through this corridor. The Panamax-class vessel covered roughly 7,500 nautical miles from Ningbo-Zhoushan to the Port of Felixstowe, cutting travel time in half compared to the traditional Suez Canal route.
Operated by Sealegend, the Istanbul Bridge carried nearly 4,900 TEU and sailed independently across the largely ice-free Northern Sea Route without an icebreaker escort. The company’s China–Europe Arctic Express service is the first liner-type container route connecting Asia and Europe through polar waters.
According to Sealegend, the shorter Arctic route significantly accelerates delivery times, lowers inventory needs by up to 40%, and reduces capital costs for businesses.
After unloading at Felixstowe, Istanbul Bridge is expected to continue to Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Gdansk.
The voyage reflects growing Chinese interest in Arctic shipping, as several other Chinese boxships have also tested the route this season. The Northern Sea Route has recorded more than 20 container ship transits this summer – a record high since Maersk’s pioneering Venta Maersk voyage in 2018.
The Arctic passage is increasingly seen by Chinese operators as a strategic alternative for faster and potentially greener Asia-Europe trade.
