Zhejiang Province, east China - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Aerial shots of port facilities, cargo ship
2. Crane working at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port
3. Aerial shots of cargo ship at port, containers
4. Aerial shots of cargo ship sailing

FILE: Zhejiang Province, east China - Aug 15, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Various of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, container truck with banner for Arctic route's inaugural sailing, container being lifted

The China-Europe Arctic Container Express Route concluded its operations this year after completing eight voyages and transporting 7,760 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo, according to Ningbo Customs.

The route entered regular weekly operations for the summer season on August 15, reaching more than 20 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

The cargo transported, mainly energy storage equipment, power batteries, and new energy vehicles, was valued at more than 5.33 billion yuan (about 794.98 million U.S. dollars).

Serving as a faster and more resilient logistics link between China and Europe, the route crosses the Northeast Arctic Passage before reaching major European ports including Felixstowe in Britain, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Hamburg in Germany and Gdynia in Poland, according to the operator.

The route completed its first trial voyage in September 2025. The journey takes about 18 to 20 days, nearly halving the time required via the Suez Canal and outpacing the China-Europe freight train.

Due to seasonal ice conditions, the route operates mainly from July to October.

The route is also seen as a key achievement under the Belt and Road Initiative's "Polar Silk Road", poised to provide faster and lower-carbon logistics options for industries such as advanced manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce, and new energy.