First Container Terminal in the Big Port of St. Petersburg, part of Global Ports, on July 6-7, 2023 handled the first containership? the 1,600 TEU ice-strengthened “NewNew Polar Bear” operated by Hainan Yangpu NewNew Shipping Co, which will pass via the Northern Sea Route to China, Global Ports said in a statement.
The Chinese line Hainan Yangpu NewNew Shipping Co in partnership with its cargo agent Torgmoll and Global Ports Group has started a direct regular container service between the Russian Baltic and PRC ports since March 2023. Previously, the service was routed the Suez Canal.
The vessel left FCT on July 7, 2023 with export designated goods of Russian manufacturers, mainly of wood processing enterprises from the North-Western region, on board. The containership will pass through the Arctic basin.
The estimated transit time is 28 days depending on ice conditions, which is 1.5 times faster than the route via the Suez Canal, which takes 45-50 days. In China, the vessel will call at Qingdao and Tianjin before proceeding to Shanghai.
In 2023 navigation season, the shipping line plans to deploy four vessels on the Northern Sea Route to operate between China and St. Petersburg (FCT) and Kaliningrad in Russia. The vessel capacity will vary from 1,600 to 3,500 TEU. Another 1,600 TEU-vessel will operate between China and the port of Arkhangelsk, also via the Northern Sea Route.
Photo: courtesy of Global Ports