China exerting huge huge successful efforts in cooperation with Russa to expands Global Trade Network. China Launched first ‘Arctic Express’ Container Service. Chinese Sea legend's Panamax box carrier Istanbul Bridge departed from Eastern China, Ningbo, on September 22 loaded with 4,900 TEUs following a launch ceremony at Ningbo port. By early this week the vessel had reached the Bering Strait around Oct. 01, 2025, enroute to Felixstowe port in the UK across the Arctic Ocean, with arrival in Europe expected by mid October. “The direct transit time from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port to Felixstowe is only 21 days, The ship which is ice class 1C ( double bottom ) navigated through the arctic with speeds ranging from 10 kn to 16 kn depending on navigation conditions. It crossed the arctic in almost one week, and continued to the UK, arrived at the Felixstowe seaport on Oct 13, 2025. Then returned to Hamburg, then to Gdansk, followed by Rotterdam, then returning on the way back NOT via North Sea Route, but via Suez Canal in Egypt, which indicates that passing through Suez Canal is indispensable. China successful efforts aim is to diversity global trade routes, and although the trip was a full success, and arrived destination in a shorter time, but still the North Sea Route has many challenges, in addition to being a seasonal route where in winter times navigation faces a lot of challenges, and the need for the support of icebreakers is a must. Moreover, double hull or ice strengthened ships are needed to traverse the route, as incidents have been reported even in summer time, when ice melts and allows a window for navigation. The Istanbul Bridge navigated the route by end of summer time, where if it was in winter time the ship might have needed the support of icebreaker, and transit might have extended beyond the planned scheduled, considering the unexpected and unpredictable change in ice and weather conditions. It is worth mentioning that large container ships of 10 or 15 or 20000 TUE cannot risk to cross the North sea route now, in addition to the major shipping lines like Maersk, CMA< MSC,, Hapag, pledged not to use the NSR. China efforts are commendable and successful but the route will have limited traffic for decades to come. All depending on climate change, and the level of ice melting, and the proper infrastructure required to navigate the route. Image taken Oct-30, while container ship Istanbul Bridge passing by Sicily Island in the Mediterranean enroute back to Suez Canal and not via the North Sea Route. This success revives the first NSR successful crossing by the Chinese 1226 TEUs container ship Yong Sheng first crossed the NSR back in 2013, from Dalian to Rotterdam. Ibrahim Gad/Gadco Egypt,