The Northern Sea Route (NSR) officially launched its 2025 summer navigation season with the arrival of the Chinese container vessel Newnew Polar Bear at the Russian Arctic port of Arkhangelsk. Operated by NewNew Shipping, the vessel delivered critical cargo for Russian industries and will return to China with export goods reinforcing the growing role of the Arctic shipping lane as an alternative to the Suez Canal.
Arrival of Newnew Polar Bear
The vessel docked on Friday, delivering 497 containers loaded with auto parts, PVC film, and steel for Russian industries. For the return voyage, it will load timber products bound for China, highlighting the two-way trade enabled by the NSR. The journey takes just over three weeks, making it significantly shorter compared to the traditional Suez Canal route.
Expansion of Arctic Express Service
The Newnew Polar Bear departed from Shanghai on July 16 and completed its voyage in under a month. Building on the success of 13 voyages in 2024, which carried more than 20,000 TEU, NewNew Shipping has expanded its Arctic Express N1 service, linking Shanghai and Ningbo to Arkhangelsk. This season, the company is also deploying larger container ships, following the precedent set last year by EZ Safetrans Logistics, the first Chinese carrier to send a Panamax vessel through the NSR.
Growing Chinese Presence in Arkhangelsk
Arkhangelsk is expected to welcome 20 Chinese vessel calls via the NSR in 2025 nearly double the figure from 2024. Already, over a dozen ships have received permits for Arctic passage between July and November, with five belonging to NewNew Shipping. Governor Alexander Tsybulsky praised the milestone, noting that enterprises in the region will now gain faster access to Chinese markets.
Investment and Port Development
To strengthen the corridor, NewNew Shipping has committed $2.5 billion toward expanding Arkhangelsk port. This investment forms part of a broader Sino-Russian partnership designed to enhance Arctic trade and secure long-term logistics infrastructure.
Future Plans: Year-Round Navigation
Looking ahead, NewNew Shipping plans to order Arc7 ice-class container ships in partnership with Russia’s nuclear agency, Rosatom. These specialized vessels will enable year-round navigation in the NSR, ensuring reliability even during harsh winter conditions.
Controversy and Safety Concerns
Despite the progress, the Newnew Polar Bear carries a controversial history. The vessel was allegedly involved in an October 2023 incident in the Gulf of Finland, where it reportedly ruptured a gas pipeline while dragging anchor. The ship’s former captain remains under arrest in connection with the case, underscoring ongoing safety and geopolitical concerns around Arctic shipping.
The arrival of the Newnew Polar Bear signals not only the start of the 2025 NSR season but also the strengthening of Sino-Russian maritime cooperation. With faster trade links, expanding port facilities, and plans for ice-class vessels, the NSR is steadily emerging as a viable alternative to traditional global shipping routes. However, past controversies remind stakeholders that the push for Arctic expansion must balance opportunity with safety and environmental responsibility.
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Source: maritime gateway
