The logistics company PST CLC Mitsui-Soko is expanding its offer with a new regular sea service operated by the Chinese shipping company Sea Legend. The route runs from China to northern Europe via the Arctic Ocean and offers weekly departures with a transit time of around 20 days. The faster option can help companies that need to deliver goods to the European market before the Christmas season or for which rail transport is not suitable.
The new service connects Chinese ports with northern Europe via the Arctic Ocean. In Europe, it serves, among others, the ports of Felixstowe and Hamburg. For PST CLC Mitsui-Soko customers, this Arctic line represents a time-comparable alternative to rail and a significantly faster option than the standard sea connection, which takes approximately 50 to 60 days with current routing. “Since August, we have been adding a new regular service for transports from China to Europe via the Northern Sea Route. The transit time is around 20 days, so it is comparable to rail and significantly shorter than standard sea transport,” says Jan Bláha, Transport Director at PST CLC Mitsui-Soko.
Test cruises become regular service
In recent years, transports on the northern route have been carried out mainly in the form of individual test voyages. A novelty of this season is the regular weekly regime of the line operated by the shipping company Sea Legend. “The operation is planned for a limited period from August to October. Specific departures and transit times are subject to change based on current sailing and ice conditions. It is a seasonal solution that can only be used during the period of favorable conditions in Arctic waters,” adds Jan Bláha.
The service is designed primarily for time-sensitive shipments. It can also be used for some commodities whose transport by rail is subject to restrictions, such as selected shipments containing batteries. The acceptance of a particular cargo always depends on the shipping conditions of the shipowner and compliance with the relevant safety rules for sea transport.
Pre-Christmas goods can be brought to Europe in autumn
The inclusion of the service in the PST CLC Mitsui-Soko offer comes at a time when the transport of goods intended for pre-Christmas sales is already underway.
“If the consignment leaves China in the first half of September, it can arrive in Hamburg at the turn of September and October, according to the current plan. For companies that need to replenish their stocks for pre-Christmas sales, the northern service can be an interesting option to get goods to Europe on time,” says Jan Bláha.
PST CLC Mitsui-Soko prepares transport according to the specific type of goods, the required date and the subsequent transport in Europe. The company provides customers with sea transport of entire containers and piece shipments and can follow them up with customs services, warehousing and distribution to the recipient.
