Arctic Shipping

Arctic shipping and Northern Sea Route transit data and news from gCaptain. Icebreaker deployments, polar class rules, ice reports and seasonal volumes.

Friday, November 14, 2025
Energy

Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 Cuts Gas Output Ahead of Winter Challenges

Russia’s sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 plant has started curbing gas production after reaching records in October, as the buildup of winter ice makes exports more

November 14, 2025
Total Views: 742

Monday, November 10, 2025
An LNG tanker at a port in Yantai, China
News

Russia’s LNG ‘Shadow Fleet’ Stalls as Winter Nears, Vessels Idle or Turn Back

After a flurry of activity over the past three months Russia’s LNG ‘dark fleet’ is struggling to keep its momentum with winter approaching. LNG carriers

November 10, 2025
Total Views: 2550

Tuesday, November 4, 2025
News

China Completes 43 Manned Arctic Dives in 2025, Demonstrates Dual Submersible Operations Under Ice

China has completed 43 successful manned submersible dives during its 2025 Arctic expedition, including coordinated missions using two crewed deep-sea

November 4, 2025
Total Views: 4601

Thursday, October 30, 2025
Shipping

EU Lifts Sanctions on Heavy-Load Carriers ‘Audax’ and ‘Pugnax’ Involved in Russian Arctic LNG Construction

In a surprise move the EU has unsanctioned two polar class heavy lift vessels, Audax and Pugnax. The vessels were purpose-built for the construction of

October 30, 2025
Total Views: 3463

Monday, October 27, 2025
Shipping

Sealegend Announces 16 China Arctic Express Voyages for 2026 Following Success of ‘Istanbul Bridge’ Transit

Container shipping via the Arctic is set for a massive boost in 2026. After completing the first-ever Arctic Express voyage from Ningbo-Zhoushan, China to

October 27, 2025
Total Views: 1693

Grounding Incidents

Cargoship ‘Thamesborg’ Arrives in Eastern Canada After 10-week Odyssey, Grounding in Arctic

Thamesborg's journey from China to Canada was supposed to take just three to four weeks via an Arctic shortcut. It ended up lasting more than two months.

October 27, 2025
Total Views: 7012

Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Shipping

Russia, China Finalize Deal to Jointly Develop Arctic Shipping Along the Northern Sea Route

Beijing and Moscow have agreed to jointly develop and commercialize the Northern Sea Route in the Russian Arctic. The deal was signed in the Chinese city of

October 21, 2025
Total Views: 13649

Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Grounding Incidents

Cargoship ‘Thamesborg’ Departs Arctic Northwest Passage After Refloat, Concluding Six-Week Rescue Operation

Around six weeks after running aground in Canada’s Arctic waters Dutch cargo vessel Thamesborg and its icebreaker and tug escort have left the waters of the

October 15, 2025
Total Views: 15775

Monday, October 13, 2025
Shipping

Chinese Containership ‘Istanbul Bridge’ Reaches UK via Arctic Route in Record 20 Days

Chinese containership Istanbul Bridge arrived at the UK’s largest terminal Felixstowe early on October 13. The Panamax vessel completed the 7,500 nautical

October 13, 2025
Total Views: 62204

Thursday, October 9, 2025
Grounding Incidents

Arctic Cargo Ship ‘Thamesborg’ Refloated AIS Data Show, Awaiting Company Confirmation 

Nearly five weeks after running around in Canada’s Arctic Northwest Passage, Dutch cargo ship Thamesborg appears to have been successfully refloated. The

October 9, 2025
Total Views: 1681

Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Grounding Incidents

Wagenborg to Attempt Refloat of Grounded ‘Thamesborg’ This Week Weather Permitting, Before Ice Window Narrows

Dutch operator Wagenborg will attempt to refloat its grounded cargo vessel Thamesborg this week, weather conditions permitting, the company announced during a

October 7, 2025
Total Views: 5020

Monday, October 6, 2025
Grounding Incidents

Cargo Ship ‘Thamesborg’ Remains Aground in Arctic as Icebreaker Arrives on Scene With Sea Ice Building

A month after running aground the Dutch cargo vessel Thamesborg remains aground atop a shoal along Canada’s Northwest Passage. Over the weekend an

October 6, 2025
Total Views: 25593

Friday, October 3, 2025
Shipping

China Turns to Arctic Shortcut While Major Carriers Steer Clear

China’s latest foray into the Northern Sea Route — using the channel between Russia and the North Pole to ship goods — has led some of the world’s

October 3, 2025
Total Views: 1817

Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Shipbuilding

Finland’s Aker Arctic Unveils Next-Generation Medium-Class Icebreaker as Global Demand Heats Up

Finnish icebreaker designer Aker Arctic on Monday released the first renderings of its new B+ class vessel for the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency,

October 1, 2025
Total Views: 4047

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Shipping

China Expands Global Trade Network with Launch of First ‘Arctic Express’ Container Service

Around a decade after shipping giant COSCO sent its first merchant ship across Russia’s Northern Sea Route, Chinese operator Sealegend is looking to make

September 30, 2025
Total Views: 5184

Monday, September 29, 2025
Shipping

MSC Reaffirms Arctic Shipping Ban as Chinese Lines Expand Northern Sea Route

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has reaffirmed its commitment to avoid the Northern Sea Route, citing environmental concerns and operational challenges,

September 29, 2025
Total Views: 7094

Sunday, September 28, 2025
News

China’s 15th Arctic Expedition Marks Milestone with First Manned Dive Beneath Polar Ice

China has wrapped up the country’s 15th Arctic scientific expedition with icebreaker Xue Long 2 returning to Shanghai on September 26. This marks the

September 28, 2025
Total Views: 4586

Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Energy

Russia Opens New Production Line at Sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 as First Carrier Loads Cargo

Russia continues to expand its Arctic liquefied natural gas facilities. More than a year after towing the second production line to the Gydan Peninsula a gas

September 24, 2025
Total Views: 4236

Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Grounding Incidents

Two Salvage Vessels Arrive in Canadian Arctic to Begin Refloating of Grounded ‘Thamesborg’

A tug and an ice-class cargo vessel have arrived in the Canadian Arctic to begin efforts to refloat the Dutch-flagged Thamesborg. The 21,359-dwt vessel has

September 23, 2025
Total Views: 30080

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Grounding Incidents

Inclement Weather Delays Salvage Efforts of Grounded Vessel ‘Thamesborg’ in the Canadian Arctic

Ten days after hitting a shoal along Canada’s Arctic Northwest Passage Dutch-flagged general cargo vessel Thamesborg remains aground. Operator Wagenborg

September 17, 2025
Total Views: 5256