PortNews reports that the cargo ship Istanbul Bridge has successfully completed its landmark journey along the China-Europe Arctic Express route, arriving at the Port of Rotterdam on October 23. The voyage marks the conclusion of a pioneering route connecting East Asia and Europe via the Northern Sea Route, showcasing the growing viability of Arctic navigation for commercial shipping.
The vessel’s arrival signifies the completion of its Europe-bound journey, during which it called at several key ports — including Felixstowe, Hamburg, and Gdansk — before concluding operations in Rotterdam. Departing from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on September 23, the ship completed the passage to its first European destination in just 20 days, underscoring the Arctic corridor’s time efficiency compared with traditional maritime routes.
By contrast, voyages through the Suez Canal typically take about 40 days, while those routed around the Cape of Good Hope can extend up to 50 days. The successful completion of this journey reinforces the strategic potential of the Northern Sea Route as a time-saving alternative for intercontinental trade.
According to Haijie Shipping (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., the operator of the service, the Istanbul Bridge will return to China via the Suez Canal instead of retracing the Arctic route, citing seasonal and regional cargo dynamics. The vessel is scheduled to make intermediate port calls in Egypt and Turkey before arriving back in China in early December.
Looking ahead, Haijie Shipping’s Chief Operating Officer, Li Xiaobin, outlined plans to expand the service in 2026 by deploying more ice-class vessels capable of navigating Arctic conditions. The company aims to establish weekly or biweekly summer operations while enhancing ship design and fleet standards to move toward year-round Arctic navigation.
To maintain continuity during the winter period, when the Northern Sea Route is closed to navigation, Haijie Shipping intends to launch the “Eastern Europe Express,” integrating sea transport via the Suez Canal with rail freight links to sustain a 25-day delivery timeline between China and Europe.
The China-Europe Arctic Express route forms part of the broader “Ice Silk Road” initiative — a strategic maritime corridor connecting East Asia and Europe through the Arctic Ocean. This route is designed to enhance global supply chain resilience, promote sustainable trade growth, and strengthen cooperation along one of the world’s emerging maritime frontiers.
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Source: PortNews
