Container Ships Navigate Arctic Route Amidst Melting Sea Ice

Container ships have started heading towards the Arctic as sea ice melts rapidly. China's small shipping company Sea Legend has launched its first regular sea service connecting Asia and Europe via the Arctic Circle since mid-August. The ship named 'Dubai Tower', which departed from Ningbo Port in China on the evening of August 15, was passing through the Siberian Sea by August 31. This region is considered one of the most challenging sea routes in the world. The 175-meter-long container ship has to navigate through ice floes amidst strong winds. Visibility is very low due to thick fog and occasional blizzards. Rescue facilities are also limited in this high polar region, so even minor technical problems can quickly turn into serious accidents. The plan is to operate one ship every week from mid-August to early October. During this period, it is possible to cross the Northern Sea Route without the help of an icebreaker.

Asia to Europe: Northern Sea Route and Suez Canal