A South Korean container ship has begun its first commercial voyage via the Arctic. This journey aims to test the viability of the Northern Sea Route for trade. The voyage is expected to take between forty and forty-five days. Officials hope this route will transform Busan into a global maritime hub. This initiative could position the Arctic as a regular trade route by 2030.

The Northern Sea Route, chiefly used by Chinese and Russian vessels, could shorten voyages and save fuel, but requires Russian cooperation.

South Korea will flag off on Saturday a container ship bound for Europe via the Arctic, testing whether a route opened by melting sea ice can be commercially v