China has opened the first container ship route connecting Europe through the Arctic sea passage.
State-run media reported that the vessel left the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang on September 23, traversed the Arctic route and arrived at a port in England on Monday.
The media said the 20-day voyage marked the first time a container ship had sailed from China to Europe via the Arctic.
The report noted that the Arctic route can significantly reduce shipping time, as conventional China-Europe routes take roughly 40 days via the Suez Canal in the Middle East, or about 25 days by rail.
The container ship will reportedly unload its cargo at ports in Germany, Poland and the Netherlands.
China is apparently trying to expand trade with Europe amid trade friction with the United States by developing the new transport route.
Beijing is stepping up efforts to develop the Arctic Sea pathway it calls the “Polar Silk Road.” It is also looking to deepen cooperation with Russia, which controls long stretches of Arctic coastline.
Source: NHK World Japan