China is launching a test cruise that could transform world trade. As Politico reported, a container ship will set sail from the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan on September 20 Istanbul Bridge to Felixstowe, UK. The 18-day route will run along the northern coast of Russia, with the assistance of icebreakers.

The aim is not a one-off journey, but to test a regular service between ports in Asia and Europe along the so-called "Asia-Europe" route. Northern Sea Route. This is made possible by the fact that Arktida melts three to four times faster than the rest of the planet.

Malte Humpert of the Washington-based think tank Arctic Institute points out: "The Arctic is the first major region where climate change is directly changing the geopolitical map. If it weren't for global warming, Russia wouldn't be drilling for oil and gas there and China wouldn't be sending containers across polar waters."

The Arctic as an alternative to the Suez Canal?

Today, major trade flows still pass through traditional routes such as Suez or Singapore. However, the Northern Sea Route is 40 % shorter and can reduce time and geopolitical risks.

Podle Petera Sanda from Xeneta is not a new idea: "China has tried this before. But now it is testing a route that resembles a conventional container route - four Chinese ports, then the Arctic, then Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland."

So far, it is a capacity-negligible project - barely 1 % of normal trade between Asia and Northern Europe. It makes sense especially in times of high demand, when every reduction in transport counts.

Humpert dodává: "It's not so much about profit, but about gaining experience and preparing the crews for when the polar waters are open for a longer part of the year."

The fast-track route could also be relevant for European markets. For example, Chinese Christmas goods usually arrive in Europe in November, which puts a strain on ports. If some of the shipments arrive a few weeks earlier, traffic peaks can be eased.

Similarly, the North Sea Route can benefit car companies. Large-capacity ships can transport thousands of electric cars from China directly to Rotterdam or Hamburg without stops.

Environmental risks of the new trade route

But opening up the Arctic has serious consequences. "Black carbon from marine fuels causes five times more damage in the Arctic than elsewhere," varuje Andrew Dumbrille from the Clean Arctic Alliance. Ship Istanbul Bridge Moreover, it is not specially strengthened for navigation in ice and probably uses heavy fuel oil, the leakage of which is virtually impossible to clean up.

Although the International Maritime Organization has partially banned this type of fuel, it is still used thanks to exemptions. Stricter regulation is not expected until 2026.

According to experts, China is gaining a competitive advantage and testing new trade routes across the Arcticbut it also increases environmental risks in one of the most vulnerable regions on the planet.

gnews.cz - GH