The ship arrived in
Murmansk from China carrying 502 containers of automotive components. After
discharging at Murmansk Commercial Sea Port, it shifted to the neighbouring
bulk terminal, where the potash was loaded for delivery to Southeast Asia. The experiment is designed to solve one
of the perennial problems facing new Arctic services: finding commercially
viable cargo in both directions. The potash cargo also gives Russian producers
another route to Asian markets outside traditional Baltic export
corridors. NewNew began regular
Northern Sea Route sailings in 2023 and subsequently teamed with Rosatom on
plans for five ice-class containerships capable of operating year-round.