South Korea launches first trial container ship voyage via Northern Sea Route

The container ship PanStar Acro with a capacity of 2,758 TEU, operated by PanStar Line, has departed from Busan to Europe. The vessel will call at Felixstowe, Rotterdam, and Gdansk before returning to Busan.

The ship is expected to reach its first European port in approximately 18 days and Rotterdam in 20 days. The trial voyage aims to assess transit time, fuel consumption, operating costs, and the commercial viability of the Arctic route.

Seoul plans to establish regular shipping services along this route in the future.