Yonhap news agency, citing Seoul's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, reported that a South Korean container ship sailed to Europe via the Northern Sea Route for the first time on Saturday.
According to the agency, the PanStar Acro departed the South Korean port of Busan and is expected to cross the Arctic Ocean on September 7. The ship is scheduled to dock in Felixstowe, UK on September 9, Rotterdam, Netherlands on September 11, and Gdansk, Poland on September 15 before returning to South Korea.
The ship is scheduled to return to Busan on October 5th. The entire voyage is expected to take approximately 45 days.
The agency said: "This is the first time a South Korean container ship has tested the Arctic route. It is also the first time a South Korean ship has sailed this route since 2016."
The container ship carries chemical products, used cars, car parts, and empty containers.
The Northern Sea Route is the shortest route between Western Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region, extending for approximately 5,600 kilometers.
Yonhap News Agency notes that melting Arctic ice could open up more routes through the region. Furthermore, the conflict in the Middle East has disrupted international shipping and increased interest in alternative transport routes.
