Published on: 2026-08-16
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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Hangzhou, August 16 /Xinhua/ — The Arctic container express route connecting China and Europe entered a new phase of weekly operations on Saturday during the summer navigation period, opening a faster and more sustainable logistics corridor between China and Europe.
At around 19:00, the container ship Dubai Tower departed from the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan /Zhejiang Province, East China/, marking the start of regular seasonal service on this route.
As reported by the operator, the route passes through the Northeast Passage of the Arctic and proceeds to major European ports, including Felixstowe /United Kingdom/, Rotterdam /Netherlands/, Hamburg /Germany/, and Gdańsk /Poland/.
A trial voyage on this route was conducted in September 2025, during which the vessel reached the port of Felixstowe in about 20 days, which is much faster compared to 25 days by China-Europe freight train and 40 days via the Suez Canal.
“This route has advantages in delivery times and supply chain security,” noted Xin Jianning, General Director of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group Co., Ltd.
The vessel Dubai Tower transports temperature-sensitive high value-added cargoes, including energy storage cabinets, traction batteries, photovoltaic modules, and components for electric vehicles, mainly from cities in the Yangtze River Delta.
Due to the seasonal ice conditions, the route operates mainly from July to October. This year, at least eight trips are planned.
According to the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, trade turnover between China and the EU in the first half of 2026 reached 447.8 billion USD, which is 14.2 percent more compared to the same period last year. -0-
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