Rosatom issues permits for seven Chinese vessels to sail to Europe via Northern Sea Route; Sea Legend Shipping plans first regular weekly container service

Rosatom has issued permits for seven Chinese vessels, enabling Sea Legend Shipping to establish the first regular container service to Europe via the Northern Sea Route (NSR). This service, set to commence in 2026, will operate weekly throughout the navigation season, marking a significant evolution from previous experimental shipments.¹²⁵⁶

According to Alexei Likhachev, Head of Rosatom, the new program reflects changing geopolitical and logistics conditions, particularly in light of tensions in the Persian Gulf. He noted, “Unlike previous container shipments via the Northern Sea Route, which were largely experimental or one-off in nature, the 2026 programme provides for a fully-fledged regular service with vessels sailing every week throughout the navigation season.”³⁴

The planned service aims to enhance the efficiency of trade routes, with journeys to the UK expected to be nearly twice as short. Likhachev emphasized the growing demand for the NSR, stating, “The initiative of the Chinese company has become another confirmation of the growing demand for our Arctic route and a natural stage in the development of the NSR, which is becoming a full-fledged transport artery of global importance.”

In terms of logistics, the service will operate from August to October, contingent on ice conditions, with plans for eight flights of seven small and medium-class container ships. Likhachev projected that cargo flow between Russia and China could reach 20 million tons by 2030, with current traffic already accounting for 15% of total freight along the NSR.