(Yicai) July 18 — China and Russia have launched the Arctic Express No. 1 rail-sea cargo service, with the Arctic shipping route potentially becoming a new channel for global trade amid climate change.
NewNew Shipping Line and Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy opened the new service on July 5, the Chinese firm told Yicai.
Arctic Express No. 1 will transport cargo by rail from Moscow to the Russian port of Arkhangelsk from where it will be shipped across the Arctic and North Pacific oceans to ports on the west coat of China. The journey covers about 13,200 kilometers and takes 20 to 25 days.
NewNew Shipping Line handles container ship navigation and transportation, while Rosatom is responsible for piloting and escorting along the route. The NewNew Polar Bear, a Chinese cargo ship, used the Arctic route for the first time last July and has made seven voyages.
www.yicaiglobal.com/news/china-russia-arctic-express-no-1-rail-sea-shipping-route-opens