Zhejiang Province, east China - Aug 15, 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Aerial shot of "Dubai Tower" berthed at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port
2. Container truck with banner for Arctic route's inaugural sailing
3. Various of container being lifted by port crane onto vessel
4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Fang Yi, CEO, Haijie Shipping (starting with shot 3/ending with shot 5):
"Our trials last year showed that we could get from Ningbo to Felixstowe in 20 days, which is almost 20 days faster than traditional routes. The Arctic route also helps protect temperature-sensitive cargo from the extreme summer heat it can face on routes through the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope. And it helps us avoid congestion, unreliable schedules and higher costs."

FILE: At Sea - 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Various of container ship at sea

Zhejiang Province, east China - Aug 15, 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of container trucks moving between port cranes
7. Aerial shot of "Dubai Tower" berthing at port before departure
8. Aerial shots of "Dubai Tower" departing port

China began regular weekly summer container shipping to Europe via Arctic waters on Saturday, offering exporters a seasonal alternative that can cut the journey from Ningbo to the United Kingdom to about 20 days.

The container ship "Dubai Tower", operated by Haijie Shipping, departed Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China's Zhejiang Province on Saturday, marking the start of regular weekly operations on the China-Europe Arctic Express following a trial voyage last year.

The service will sail along Russia's Northern Sea Route before calling at ports including Felixstowe in Britain, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Hamburg in Germany and Gdynia in Poland.

The first voyage is carrying Chinese-made energy-storage units, solar equipment and other high-value, temperature-sensitive goods from manufacturing hubs in the Yangtze River Delta, targeting European peak-season demand.

"Our trials last year showed that we could get from Ningbo to Felixstowe in 20 days, which is almost 20 days faster than traditional routes. The Arctic route also helps protect temperature-sensitive cargo from the extreme summer heat it can face on routes through the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope. And it helps us avoid congestion, unreliable schedules and higher costs," said Fang Yi, CEO of Haijie Shipping.

The route's commercial appeal lies in shorter transit times and a potential reduction in inventory and delivery risks for exporters. But it is restricted by seasonal ice, with the main navigation window generally running from July to October.

Operators expect to deploy up to eight ice-strengthened vessels on the route this season. The ships will use real-time ice monitoring and adjust their routes to navigate changing weather and ice conditions, according to the company.