Soren Toft, the CEO of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, has reaffirmed the refusal of the world's largest container shipping line to utilize the Northern Sea Route. This decision stands despite the aggressive expansion of Chinese maritime firms into the Arctic, where record-high volumes and significantly reduced transit times are being reported.
Toft cited persistent concerns regarding safety, functionality, and the environment, emphasizing that risks to crews remain unacceptably high, safe navigation cannot be guaranteed, and increased traffic would exert additional pressure on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Furthermore, he underlined that MSC perceives no operational necessity for the route, as its fleet and network allow for the global transport of cargo safely and reliably without an Arctic transit.
The policy of MSC regarding the Arctic dates back to 2019, when the company's chairman, Diego Aponte, pledged to avoid Arctic transits. This stance was reaffirmed in 2021, following the blockage of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given, and again in 2024, amidst ongoing security concerns in the Red Sea.
The Chinese expansion
In contrast, Chinese shipping companies have significantly ramped up their activity along the Northern Sea Route. In 2025, Chinese operators conducted 14 container voyages via the route, compared to 11 in 2024 and just 7 in 2023, with cargo volumes reaching approximately 400,000 tons—a 2.6-fold increase year-on-year.
The speed of transit is a decisive factor: the vessel Istanbul Bridge recently completed the first direct voyage between China and the United Kingdom via the Arctic in just 20 days, while the new China-Europe Arctic Express service offers a transit of 18 days, less than half the time compared to the Suez Canal. NewNew Shipping Line and Sea Legend have announced further expansion of Arctic routes for 2026, utilizing new Arc7 ships with a capacity of 4,400 TEU for nearly year-round operation supported by icebreakers.
Aligning with MSC are CMA CGM, Maersk, Evergreen, and Hapag-Lloyd, all of whom have signed the Arctic Corporate Shipping Pledge by Ocean Conservancy. The initiative warns of "major risks and potentially catastrophic environmental impacts" from increased navigation in the Arctic, which is warming two to three times faster than the global average, threatening both wildlife and indigenous communities.
A divided market and Russian transits
Despite the opposition, overall maritime activity in the Arctic continues to grow. Russia recorded 103 transits through the Northern Sea Route in 2025, transporting approximately 3.2 million tons of cargo, primarily crude oil, LNG, and bulk commodities. The navigation season lasted from July 16 to October 30, roughly three weeks shorter than in 2024 due to the early formation of sea ice in the eastern sections of the route.
As ice retreats and transit times decrease, economic pressures to utilize the Arctic route are expected to intensify. However, the global container market remains deeply divided, with Western conglomerates prioritizing environmental protection and safety, while Chinese entities move aggressively to exploit a potentially transformative trade corridor.
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