"First Container Terminal" Sends First Vessel to China via the Northern Sea Route
February 13, 2025

On July 6-7, "First Container Terminal" (FCT), part of the stevedoring holding Global Ports, handled the first vessel on a new international maritime route operated by Hainan Yangpu NewNew Shipping Co. The vessel will travel via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) to China, according to a press release from the holding.

The NewNew Polar Bear container ship, which is equipped with an enhanced ice class, has a capacity of 1600 TEU. The Chinese company Hainan Yangpu NewNew Shipping Co, in partnership with cargo agent Torgmoll and Global Ports, has been running direct regular container services between Russia’s Baltic basin and Chinese ports since March 2023. Previously, all shipments under this service were made via the Suez Canal.

On July 7, 2023, the vessel departed from the FCT terminal, carrying export goods from Russian manufacturers, mostly from the timber processing industry in the Northwest of Russia. The container ship will pass through the Arctic Basin, with an estimated transit time of about 28 days, depending on ice conditions. This is one and a half times faster than the route via the Suez Canal, which takes 45-50 days. In China, the vessel will stop at the ports of Qingdao and Tianjin, with its final destination being Shanghai.

It was also announced that during the 2023 navigation period, four vessels with capacities ranging from 1600 to 3500 TEU will be deployed on the route from the Big Port of Saint Petersburg – Kaliningrad – China’s ports via the NSR. Additionally, a 1600 TEU vessel will operate on the Arkhangelsk – China route, transporting export and import cargo.

It is worth noting that the stevedoring holding Global Ports is part of the "Delo" group of companies, with shareholders Sergey Shishkaryov and the state corporation "Rosatom."

Photo: Global Ports ​