China has opened a new Arctic shipping corridor to Europe, with the 4,890-TEU Istanbul Bridge expected to complete the journey in 18 days, reported Newsweek.

The route, dubbed "Arctic Express" by Beijing, links Chinese ports including Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao and Dalian with European destinations such as Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gdansk. It offers a faster alternative to traditional sea lanes via the Suez Canal and Cape of Good Hope, which take 40 to 50 days.

The Liberian-flagged Istanbul Bridge, operated by Sea Legend and Haijie Shipping, departed Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on September 22 bound for Felixstowe.

Zhou Chujing, logistics procurement manager at Shanghai-based Sigenergy, said the route's shorter transit time benefits the entire supply chain. Chinese analysts also noted the safety advantage of bypassing congested choke points such as the Red Sea.

Climate change has melted sea ice along the Northeast Passage, enabling navigation through previously blocked Arctic waters. Analysts say the region is becoming a geopolitical hotspot, with China and Russia increasing their presence.

Malte Humpert of the Arctic Institute said the melting Arctic is attracting global interest. Beijing, which refers to itself as a "near-Arctic state," is signalling its intent to establish regular service through the corridor.