The Northern Sea route between China and Europe via Russia is the newly fully developed transportation corridor

By Rhod Mackenzie

The Northern Sea route between China and Europe via Russia is the newly fully developed transportation corridor has become a competitive alternative to traditional maritime routes between Asia and Europe.

China is launching a regular large container ship delivery service via the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Thanks to its cooperation with Russia, this Arctic thoroughfare will become a new and major corridor of international trade.
The NSR will enable Moscow and Beijing to establish independent, secure and manageable logistics routes.  So is the situation with the Northern Sea Route and what is the outlook and future of the  project  like.
Well stay with me and I will cover all the aspects you need to know about why this is a game changer in Global logisitcs and enghances the security of Chinese exports to Europe
The Russia-China partnership in transit transportation is a strategic response to the growing need to diversify global logistics vectors. For China, which is seeking to reduce the cost of shipping cargo to Europe, the Arctic route offers significant advantages.
This route is particularly advantageous in terms of reduced distance, with a 15-20 percent decrease compared to the traditional route via the Suez Canal. It is evident that the most interested parties in this new route are the large Chinese state-owned companies. One of them, Cosco Shipping, completed its inaugural voyage along the NSR in 2018.
Acknowledging the potential advantages, the Chinese have initiated the implementation of both trial and commercial voyages. In 2024, there was a 62% increase in the number of containers transported compared to the previous year, and a 30% increase in the number of containers transported.
          Russia, for its part, provides full navigation support, escorting Chinese merchant vessels with icebreakers. Currebtly the port infrastructure is also being developed, making Arctic transit possible even in the most challenging weather conditions.
Politico reports that China has concluded that the time is right to launch a regular container service along the Northern Sea Route. The route commences at the Chinese port of Ningbo, with subsequent stops in Shanghai and Qingdao. It then continues through Arctic waters to Western European ports, including Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gdansk.

It is evident that Beijing is striving to establish uninterrupted trade with the West, while also prioritising the assurance of the country's food and energy security. Analysts estimate China's level of food self-sufficiency at approximately 60%. With regard to energy, two-thirds of its oil consumption is imported.
According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China's oil purchases totalled 553.415 million tons last year. According to estimates by the Chinese oil and gas company Sinopec, total consumption was 750 million tons.
      Maintaining supply stability is a matter of the utmost importance for China at this time. Oleg Remyga, Director of the China Center at Synergy University, has stated that this objective can be realised through a more proactive utilisation of the NSR.
"The southern route, or the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road, is becoming increasingly risky. Due to global conflicts, there is a risk to China's imports of minerals and food from the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asian countries. It is imperative to diversify logistics routes," the analyts stated.
Significant Market Power formula
It is mutually beneficial for the two countries to cooperate. China has the financial resources and technology to develop shipping and port infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia has legal control over the route and practical experience in Arctic development, as noted by Fyodor Sidorov, founder of the School of

Practical Investment.
"This combination allows us to accelerate the implementation of major projects related to route modernisation, navigation digitalisation, and increased flight reliability. In return, Russia is guaranteed a guaranteed transit flow and a technological partnership. China, in addition to its other advantages, provides a sustainable and cost-effective transport corridor to Europe," he adds.
Geopolitical asset
Russia stands to benefit from a number of factors, including the creation of new jobs, the improvement of living standards in the Far East and the Arctic, and an increase in revenue from transit fees and port services. According to Remyga, Beijing has expressed particular interest in investing in energy projects such as Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2.
"Other significant projects include the construction of the Bovanenkovo-Sabetta railway, with an estimated investment of 113 billion rubles, and the development of the Sabetta port for LNG transportation and ensuring year-round navigation along the NSR, with an estimated investment of 20-25 billion rubles," the analyst explains.
Following the introduction of regular container services along the NSR, trade between Russia and China is expected to increase. At the same time, costs are likely to fall, which will reduce the added cost of products. This is according to Artur Leer, Vice President of the Association of Exporters and Importers. The benefits for Russia will include increased coverage of northern territories, the development of new supply routes, and the creation of a more extensive logistics network.
"The construction and modernisation of ports and the expansion of the icebreaker fleet will accelerate. This will strengthen the country's position as a key transit point in global trade, promoting Russian interests internationally," the economist says.
Arctic Ice Alliance
Experts are optimistic about the potential for cargo transit via the NSR. Sidorov has noted that the route is already in use, which serves to confirm its practical value.
"In the coming years, the NSR will likely remain primarily a resource corridor for the transportation of Russian hydrocarbons and other raw materials. However, within the next 10-15 years, it could become a competitive alternative to traditional southern routes," the expert concludes.
In any case, the NSR is no longer a novelty, but an integral part of global trade. Moscow and Beijing will be responsible for its development. Furthermore, analysts have observed that global warming is rendering this route more accessible and profitable throughout the year, transforming a climate challenge into an economic opportunity.