China’s state-run shipping giant Cosco Group is currently considering routine navigation through Arctic waters as a short cut linking China and Europe.

Cosco’s Yong Sheng vessel completed its second round trip Arctic voyage between China and Europe in October. It sailed nearly 20,000 nautical miles during the 55-day voyage.

In a seminar focused on Arctic shipping held last week, shipping experts discussed the possibilities of normalising the Arctic shipping route of Yong Sheng.

“The company is considering increasing the number of ships sailing via the new path,” said Cai Meijiang, general manager of the safety and technical supervision department at Cosco.