Capt Kamal Chadha –
China Scores with 2nd Box Ship Navigating Arctic Route
Barely a week after a Panamax container ship successfully navigated the Arctic, a second vessel of this size, the NewNew Panda, has embarked on its own historic journey. The 4,363 TEU vessel set sail from Nansha, near Hong Kong, on September 19. Unlike last week’s Flying Fish 1, which boasted a low ice-class rating, the NewNew Panda is an ordinary container ship without any ice classification. This makes it the largest conventional container ship to attempt an Arctic crossing.
After traveling up China’s coastline and passing south of the Korean Peninsula, the ship has reached the Bering Strait. It has secured a permit from Russia’s Northern Sea Route authority, allowing it to navigate along the Arctic’s main shipping corridor during the window of October 1-15. However, this navigation permit comes with restrictions, permitting the ship to sail only in ice-free waters, regardless of whether an icebreaker accompanies it or not.
As early autumn sets in, sea ice is beginning to form around Wrangel Island in the Far East, adding to the challenges of the crossing. The NewNew Panda’s journey exemplifies the growing interest in Arctic shipping routes, which have become increasingly viable due to climate change and melting polar ice.
This Arctic venture represents not only a significant logistical achievement for the Chinese shipping industry but also a landmark event in maritime history, drawing attention to the potential for new trade routes in a changing climate. As further Arctic transits are explored, the implications for global shipping, trade dynamics, and environmental concerns will become increasingly critical.
Marex Media