South Korea completes Arctic-Europe commercial voyage, eyes regular service despite risks
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The PanStar Acro, South Korea's first commercial voyage to Europe via the Arctic, reaching the port of Felixstowe in Britain on Sept 11.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- South Korea’s PanStar Acro completed the country’s first commercial round trip to Europe via the Arctic in 50 days, and officials want Busan to become a global maritime hub.
- Authorities say the route could cut voyage times by about a third, and President Lee Jae Myung wants regular Arctic services by 2030.
- The plan faces risks from Russia-related tensions, ice, higher costs, insurance, and weak cargo loads, which may limit its value.
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SEOUL – A South Korean container ship completed the country’s first commercial round trip to Europe via the Arctic on Oct 11, as the authorities bank on the route helping turn the port of Busan into a global maritime hub.
The PanStar Acro docked in the south-eastern port 50 days after setting sail on Aug 22. The Arctic route could cut typical voyage times by around a third.
President Lee Jae Myung has made Arctic shipping a priority, and officials hope to launch regular services by 2030.
But the project risks friction with Western allies hoping to keep Russia isolated during its war in Ukraine. The route runs along Russia’s Arctic coast, and Seoul consulted Moscow about the journey, including whether the ship needed help to tackle any problems, such as getting stuck in ice.
On its outbound voyage, the vessel passed through Arctic waters and reached its first European port, Felixstowe in Britain, before calling at Rotterdam and Gdansk and returning home via the Arctic.
The trial voyage highlighted the challenges ahead. Before the departure, PanStar said it was seeking about 1,300 twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo, but the ship left with 737 TEU of cargo plus empty containers.
Industry experts said the route’s value will depend on reliable schedules, the costs of slowing to avoid ice, special insurance premiums and extra fuel use. REUTERS