South Korean container ship begins trial voyage on Northern Sea Route

The Panstar Acro, a South Korean container ship, has embarked on a trial voyage along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) from Busan Port, aiming to establish a new trade route between Asia and Europe. This marks the first container cargo transit on the NSR since domestic vessels began trial runs in 2016.

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We have focused on intensive training for crew qualifications and survival in polar environments according to ice-class vessel operating standards.

The vessel, capable of carrying 2,758 TEUs, departed Busan Port on Sunday night. It has been certified with an 'Ice Class II' rating, allowing it to navigate waters with thin or minor ice. Captain Seo Myung-won expressed confidence, stating that the ice is expected to have melted by their arrival in the NSR, though contingency plans for alternative routes are in place.

The NSR offers a significantly shorter route between Busan and Rotterdam compared to the Suez Canal. The current journey is approximately 13,000 km, saving about 7,000 km compared to the 20,000 km Suez Canal route. The Panstar Acro is carrying 837 TEUs of cargo, including chemicals, used cars, auto parts, metal products, and paper.

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We anticipate the sea ice will have completely melted by the time we reach the Northern Sea Route. We have also planned alternative routes as a precaution and will make decisions based on data like real-time ice charts.

The ship is scheduled to enter the Arctic waters north of 66 degrees 30 minutes North latitude on August 30th and is expected to pass through the NSR by September 7th. It will make subsequent port calls in Felixstowe, UK; Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Gdansk, Poland, before returning to Busan on October 5th. The entire voyage is projected to take 45 days, with the Arctic passage itself estimated at around eight days one way.

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Above all, we will meticulously manage the trial voyage until its successful completion, prioritizing the safety of the crew and vessel.

South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to maintain 24-hour communication with the vessel via low-orbit satellite networks and will activate emergency response systems if needed. Following the trial, the ministry will analyze the route's economic viability and stability to prepare for establishing a regular service by 2030.

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We will secure data on the economic feasibility of the Northern Sea Route and specify the operating conditions and policy support needed for establishing a regular route. We will also lay the groundwork for the future Northern Sea Route market by systematically supporting the training of specialized personnel and technological development.