A Chinese container ship, the “Istanbul Bridge”, has managed to complete its journey from China to Europe in just 20 days, using a new sea route through the Northeast Passage in the Arctic. This route reduces the usual time and distance spent crossing the Suez Canal by half.
The cargo ship set sail on September 22 from Ningbo-Zhoushan, China, and arrived at the British port of Felixstowe last Monday after traveling some 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km). The navigation along the Russian coast lasted five days no need for icebreaker escortwhich marks a milestone for maritime trade.
This journey, driven by climate change that expands the window to navigate the Arctic, represents a strategic success for Russia, that seeks to enhance commercial traffic through the Northeast Passage. In addition, the new route helps avoid the usual congestion in European ports during the peak season for Asian imports.
On the other hand, the significant reduction of time and costs in maritime transportation can transform global supply chains, allowing faster and more efficient delivery of goods, especially in high demand seasons such as Christmas.
Another important maritime route is the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific and greatly shortens the journey between North America, South America and Asia. Thanks to its expansion in 2016, which allowed the passage of larger ships, the Panama Canal remains a key piece for international trade.
