China and Russia Partner to Create Arctic Liner

Russia is moving forward with a project in collaboration with China to enable year-round container shipping along the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

Rosatom, which manages the NSR, and China’s NewNew Shipping are establishing a joint venture to develop a fleet of five ice-class container ships designed for continuous operation throughout the year.

NewNew Shipping has already conducted several Arctic transits in recent years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has long advocated for increased traffic along the NSR, an initiative that has gained momentum since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. This geopolitical shift has led to a stronger focus on Asian markets for Russian exports.

The traditional route through the Suez Canal between Europe and Asia spans 21,000 km, whereas the NSR is 13,000 km, potentially cutting shipping time by more than half. With the NSR offering a conflict-free passage unlike the Black Sea, shorter travel time compared to the Suez Canal, and no threat of piracy as seen at Bab el-Mandeb, it's evident why Russia is eager to promote the NSR.