Containership Uses Arctic Route to Reach UK in 20 Days

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A containership halved its usual travel time to Felixstowe, United Kingdom, reaching the terminal on 13 October by using a route via the Arctic Northern Sea Route.  The journey marked the first time a containership sailed to the U.K via the Arctic from China.

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The Istanbul Bridge completed its 7,500-nautical mile voyage in 20 days, compared to the 40-50 days needed for a customary 11,000-nautical mile trip via the Suez Canal.  The new service is being referred to as the “China-Europe Arctic Express”.

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The Istanbul Bridge, operated by Sealegend, is an Ice-1 ice-class containership. A Sealegend official hailed the reduced emissions generated by the shorter route. But detractors questioned what type of fuel the ship consumed and whether it complied fully with the IMO’s Polar Code.

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Russia’s Northern Sea Route this year has seen more than 20 containership transits, a record.

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Read More at gCaptain

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Hudson follows the science:  “When soot from ship exhaust settles upon snow and ice, the mostly carbon black soot accelerates melting, which can cause significant consequences for the Arctic ecosystem.”

Read about Hudson’s pledge not to ship through the Arctic here: Hudson Pledges Not to Ship Through Arctic Ocean

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