Inauguration of the China-Europe Arctic Express: A New 18-Day Direct Route to Europe

In the face of potential disruptions to the China-Europe Railway Express due to Poland's possible closure of its border with Belarus, and amidst global supply chain challenges, China has launched the world's first China-Europe Arctic Express, offering a new logistics corridor for China-Europe trade.

On September 23, the "Istanbul Bridge" vessel set sail from the Beilun Port Area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port, marking the official commencement of the China-Europe Arctic container express service. This route traverses the Northeast Passage of the Arctic Ocean, providing a direct link to Europe, with a transit time of just 18 days to Felixstowe Port, significantly reducing transportation time and setting a new record for China-Europe express services.

The China-Europe Arctic Express is a significant practical outcome of the "Ice Silk Road" initiative under the Belt and Road Initiative, offering faster and more environmentally friendly international logistics options for China's high-end manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce, and new energy industries.

On September 22, the "Istanbul Bridge" completed the loading of over 1,000 TEUs of container cargo. The launch of this route provides a new logistics solution for China-Europe trade, ensuring the stability of the international industrial chain and supply chain, and also demonstrates China's innovative capabilities in the field of international logistics. This new route is expected to inject new vitality into China-Europe trade and promote further economic development between the two sides.