China Turns to the “Ice Silk Road” as Hormuz Disruptions Upend Global Shipping

China is turning to the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz force global shippers to seek alternatives. Chinese container company Sea Legend Line launched its first regular service from Ningbo to Felixstowe, covering more than 3,400 miles along Russia’s northern coast.
The route, dubbed the “Ice Silk Road,” takes about 20 days — roughly half the time of the traditional route through the Suez Canal. China first explored the Northern Sea Route more than a decade ago, and warmer Arctic conditions have made the passage accessible for a larger portion of the year.
At the same time, shipping through Hormuz has slowed sharply. Kpler data showed only six commodity vessels transited the strait on Tuesday, below the 10-day average of 11. Two Chinese-linked supertankers also U-turned in the area as security risks remained elevated.
China’s major shipping companies have increasingly diverted vessels from Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, while ship-to-ship transfers outside the Gulf are helping keep oil moving despite the disruptions.