Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev announced the launch of the first weekly container shipping route from China to Europe via the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
According to Likhachev, the state corporation—which serves as the infrastructure operator for the Arctic route—has already issued the necessary permits for seven vessels, RIA Novosti reports.
“The Chinese shipping company Sealegend Shipping is indeed planning to launch the first regular weekly container route to Europe via the Northern Sea Route. Rosatom has already issued permits for seven vessels to transit the NSR waters,” the head of the state corporation emphasized in comments to the corporate publication Strana Rosatom.
Likhachev noted that the first test transit of a Chinese container ship to the British port of Felixstowe took place in the autumn of 2025. Now, unlike those earlier experimental voyages, the program for 2026 envisions a full-scale liner service, with vessels departing weekly throughout the navigation season.
The Chinese side plans to carry out eight voyages using small- and medium-class vessels between August and October, ice conditions permitting. The Rosatom chief noted that the development of the Arctic route is taking place against the backdrop of a complex situation in the Persian Gulf, underscoring the growing global demand for the NSR as a reliable transport artery.
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