The Chinese container ship «Istanbul Bridge» has completed the route from China to the United Kingdom via the Arctic in just 20 days. Never before has a ship sailed through the Northeast Passage in such a short time. The passage along Russia’s northern border is considered an important milestone in the emerging ‘Polar Silk Road’. Russia already uses the passage to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Sabetta on the Siberian Yamal Peninsula to Asia, among other things.
The Liberian-flagged «Istanbul Bridge», loaded with more than 1,000 standard containers, departed from the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang on 22 September 2025 and reached the British container port of Felixstowe on 13 October 2025.
At a length of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 kilometres), the journey was almost twice as fast as the traditional Suez Canal route. The ship completed the passage without the assistance of an icebreaker, taking advantage of the low ice levels in late summer.
The usual journey through the Suez Canal typically takes 40 to 50 days and covers 11,000 nautical miles (20,400 kilometres).
Sealegend highlighted the efficiency of the route and the lower emissions. For much of the year, the Northeast Passage is still covered by ice. However, climate change is extending the navigable period. This opens up new opportunities – but also new challenges for shipping and environmental protection.
Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal