Niche Chinese liner Sea Legend Shipping is set to launch a direct container service between China and northern Europe via the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

The new seasonal service, expected to begin in September, will offer an 18-day transit between East Asia and Europe—nearly halving the 30 to 50 days typically required via the Cape of Good Hope. The 4,890 teu Istanbul Bridge has been named for the inaugural voyage, calling at Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gdansk. The vessel is currently operated by Sea Legend’s Russian-focused partner, Safetrans Line, and previously ran as the Flying Fish 1, which undertook an Arctic voyage in 2023.

The NSR sailing is a significant step for Sea Legend, a Singapore-based, Chinese-controlled carrier that emerged during the Red Sea crisis with Chinese-flagged, security-hardened ships operating under PLA Navy escort. Its expansion into the Arctic reflects deepening Sino-Russian cooperation and Beijing’s growing interest in developing alternative trade corridors amid geopolitical instability.

The company is targeting premium cargo with high time sensitivity, such as electronics and fashion, hoping to capitalise on faster delivery cycles and inventory efficiencies.

While climate change has increased the seasonal window for Arctic navigation, the route remains limited to summer months. Sea Legend will run a single voyage this year, which it claims is already fully booked.

Development of the NSR is a strategic priority for the Kremlin. Russia’s nuclear agency, Rosatomflot, has been tasked with leading infrastructure expansion, including icebreaker support and navigational services. China has actively supported Russia’s Arctic ambitions, with investment in key projects like Arctic LNG 2 and shipping ventures through the route.