China's NewNew Shipping Line eyeing Murmansk ports for future operations

MURMANSK. Nov 27 (Interfax) - Chinese container shipping company NewNew Shipping Line (NNSL) is studying potential cargo traffic at Murmansk commercial and fishing seaports, and the possibility of launching a container line, company chairman Fan Yuxin said on Wednesday.

"I think that some conditions of the ports, some of their [plans for] development coincide with our requirements and our development prospects. Therefore, I think there are many opportunities for cooperation here," she told reporters in Murmansk after an NNSL delegation visited ports.

NNSL is now studying cargo traffic with a view to opening a new container line, she said. "If there is sufficient cargo traffic, then we will be able to open a new route," Fan Yuxin said, adding that the company has already held a meeting on this issue with colleagues from China.

"In order to take the next step we need to study what businesses and what cargo flows can fill our vessel. After this we will consider the next step of development," she said.

NNSL is not just considering shipping cargo from Asia to Murmansk, but also through Murmansk to Europe and beyond, she said.

NNSL and the Murmansk regional government signed an agreement in September on the development of container shipments through the Murmansk port that calls for organizing regular container shipments and joint projects to develop port infrastructure to increase cargo traffic.

Russian state corporation Rosatom and NNSL formed a joint venture at the end of 2024 to build container vessels for the Northern Sea Route Shipping Line. NNSL shipped more than 20,000 TEU in 13 voyages along the Northern Sea Route in 2024.