Shipping through the Arctic reached record levels last month, with voyages via the Northern Sea Route hitting 133 transits, more than quadruple the 2022 figure and up 46 per cent compared with August. Almost half of the transits were made by Russian-flagged ships. Voyages have also been made by Chinese ships seeking alternative routes to European markets amid disruption in the Middle East and the Red Sea.
The Chinese container ship Dubai Tower travelled from Qingdao to the UK port of Felixstowe via the Arctic in September, trimming voyage time to 24 days compared to 40 or more via the Suez Canal. Another ship from the same company set out from Ningbo to Felixstowe on September 27. September is typically the busiest month as ice reaches its lowest ebb.
The northern sea ice suffered its largest single-year winter decline in 2025 since satellite records began and has remained at historic lows, according to University of Southampton researchers. The lower sea ice and increased pressure on chokepoints such as the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, currently threatened by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, are making the route more appealing. Lloyd’s List maritime intelligence director Bridget Diakun noted the route’s development as operators look for lanes with less geopolitical exposure.
A record number of crude oil tankers and bulk carriers also deployed on the route, though insurance companies and environmentalists warn of major accident risks due to harsh conditions and limited rescue capabilities. Romain Troublé of the Tara Ocean Foundation cautioned that even minor spills could accelerate global warming effects.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing