Arkhangelsk Region, Chinese shipper launch Arctic multimodal route from Russia to China

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Arkhangelsk Region, Chinese shipper launch Arctic multimodal route from Russia to China

ST. PETERSBURG. July 8 (Interfax) - China's NewNew Shipping Line has launched a new trade route called Arctic Express No. 1 that runs through the Northern Sea Route (NSR), the press service of Arkhangelsk Region's governor and government reported.

"The new route is intended to accelerate and optimize cargo shipments between Russia and China. Arctic Express No. 1 will connect China's main ports, Shanghai and Ningbo, with Arkhangelsk through the NSR. Upon arrival in the capital of [Arkhangelsk Region], the cargo will be delivered by railway to Moscow and St. Petersburg," the press release said.

The launch ceremony for the new route was held at the Bely Rast terminal and logistics center in Moscow Region.

"Foremost, Arctic Express No. 1 provides virtually limitless possibilities for increasing the trade turnover [between Russia and China]. Today, all our logistical connections with China are primarily built on the use of railways, which will always have limits for increasing the trade turnover. The route that we're opening today is the shortest route from Europe to Asia, so we are essentially establishing new logistical connections between our countries," Arkhangelsk Region Governor Alexander Tsybulsky was quoted as saying by the press service.

The route stretches 1,200 km by railway and 6,600 nautical miles by sea and takes 20-25 to traverse, which will significantly reduce delivery times compared to traditional routes, the press service said. There are plans to ship more than 20,000 TEU along this multimodal corridor in 2024.

"The launched Arctic Express No. 1 opens up a new chapter in cooperation between China and Russia in the Arctic," the press service quoted China's ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui as saying.

The first voyage from Arkhangelsk to China in ten years took place in 2023, when a ship carrying over 300 containers of lumber sailed the Northern Sea Route. Ten to 12 voyages are planned during the summer and fall navigation season of 2024.