The Hong Kong-flagged container ship NewNew Star has become the largest non-ice class vessel to navigate the Arctic. Departing from Nansha, China, on August 22 and arriving in St. Petersburg on September 4, the 3,534 TEU ship traversed the Northern Sea Route via the Bering Strait. With a gross tonnage of 35,975 tonnes and a length of 231 meters, NewNew Star surpasses all previous Arctic container ships in size and is notable for its lack of ice protection. Its owner, Yangpu NewNew Shipping Company, aims to establish a routine summer liner service to Arkhangelsk and St. Petersburg with this vessel as part of a broader effort involving a fleet of eight vessels.
