The first pilot ship call of the Chinese container company NewNew Shipping Line to the port of Murmansk is scheduled for August 2026. The agreement was reached on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum during a working meeting between Andrey Chibis, Governor of the Murmansk Region, and Fan Yuxin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NewNew Shipping Line.
The negotiations were a practical continuation of the cooperation agreement signed by the parties in September 2025. The project is aimed at developing new logistics routes using the infrastructure of the port of Murmansk and the capabilities of the Northern Sea Route. The project is also part of the work to fulfill the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, given following the results of the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk. One of the key tasks outlined by the Head of state is the development of the Northern Sea Route and the formation of the Transarctic Transport Corridor as a global route for international cargo transportation.
The use of the Arctic highway makes it possible to significantly reduce the distance between Asian markets and the European part of Russia compared to traditional routes through the Suez Canal. This allows businesses to reduce delivery times, increase logistics efficiency, and reduce the environmental burden by reducing the length of transportation.
Governor Andrey Chibis emphasized the strategic nature of the project: "The development of the Northern Sea Route and the Transarctic Transport Corridor is one of the key state tasks set by the President of Russia. For the Murmansk Region, this is not only a new opportunity for the region's economy, but also a strengthening of our region's status as a strategic center for Arctic logistics. Today we are moving on to the practical implementation of these solutions. The determination of the test period is an important step in the formation of new international logistics routes through the Arctic. It is important to develop this route together with you, and the region is ready to provide the necessary assistance."
Fan Yuxin, in turn, noted the company's interest in developing cooperation with Russian partners and taking advantage of the Northern Sea Route.
"We highly appreciate the potential of cooperation with the Murmansk Region and the opportunities offered by the Northern Sea Route. We are extremely interested in the development of Murmansk as a logistics hub. We look forward to a long—term and mutually beneficial partnership," said the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chinese company.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their intention to continue working together to prepare a test ship and further develop cargo transportation through the Northern Sea Route. The company will also consider the possibility of organizing transit traffic through the port of Murmansk to Kaliningrad.
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NewNew Shipping Line is a Chinese container shipping company that has been active in the Arctic since 2023. In 2024, she completed 13 flights along the Northern Sea Route, carrying more than 20,000 TEU. In June 2025, a joint venture was announced between NNSL and Rosatom State Corporation to build container ships for the Northern Sea Route.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /