China to launch “Arctic Express”: Regular sailings in August

From mid-August, Chinese cargo ships will begin regular weekly sailings to Europe by sea via the Arctic, the China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) announced. As reported by RIA Novosti, Sea Legend Line Limited announced the departure of the “Arctic Express” for August 15. The first ship, the Dubai Tower, is scheduled to depart from the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in China and is expected to arrive in the port of Felixstowe in the UK by September 5.

Ningbo-Zhoushan is the world’s largest port by cargo volume, and Felixstowe is the largest such port in the UK. From Felixstowe, further traffic will go to other ports in Europe.

According to the CSA, the Arctic will be navigable this year from the end of July to the end of September. Sea Legend plans a total of eight weekly sailings, with the last one scheduled to arrive in Felixstowe at the end of October.

Sea Legend was founded in 2022 and, last summer, it made its first Arctic Sea route delivery as a proof of concept. The container ship arrived in Felixstowe on September 24, 2025.

If the Chinese company can make the delivery in just 20 days, it will be a significantly faster sea transport option between China and Europe than the approximately 45 days that ships currently take, whether through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal or around Africa.

China Shipowners Association

CSA

Sea Legend Line Limited

Arctic Express