Русский
With the 2025/26 winter now behind us and the seasonal ice melting in the Arctic, the Northern Sea Route is once again opening up for use. China’s New New Shipping Line (NNSL) which specifically handles freight, is planning to make its first voyage to the Murmansk port in summer this year, according to Murmansk Regional Governor Andrei Chibis.
“Last year, we agreed to partner with Chinese company New New Shipping Line and are planning a test port call as early as summer 2026. This will open up additional opportunities for exporters and importers from Russia and Belarus to enter Asian markets via the Arctic route.”
NNSL and the Murmansk regional government signed an agreement on the development of container shipments via the Murmansk port in September 2025. That involves organizing regular container shipments and joint projects to develop port infrastructure in order to increase cargo handling. A delegation from NNSL familiarized itself with the potential of the polar ports during a visit to Murmansk in November.
China significantly expanded its use of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in 2025, completing 14 container ship voyages between Asia and Europe, up from 11 such voyages in 2024. In total, the NSR saw 103 transit voyages completed by 88 unique vessels in 2025, divided almost evenly between 52 eastbound and 51 westbound transits. Some ships completed two separate NSR passages during the season. Total cargo moving through the route reached an estimated 3.2 million tons.
