Ive seen some headlines that are trying to bring a negative light to this due to environmental concerns. It seems like Maersk is taking the right steps by using Ultra low sulfur fuel, but would really like to see them using LNG to make the transit.
Better late then never. The Chinese did that route for the first time already in 2013 and after that some more.
Since Cosco Shipping’s MPP vessel Yong Sheng completed the company’s first Arctic voyage in 2013, the company has deployed 10 vessels in total on Arctic routes in the past few years, completing a total of 14 voyages.
Seen in this light Reuter’s statement that Maersk is the first container ship to do that route is somewhat misleading unless there was not one container ship among those 14 Cosco ships. Could be.