RUSSIA's Arctic shipping activity continues to surge to new heights, reports High North News, Bodo, Norway.

Recently, the Northern Sea Route witnessed the passage of a container ship akin in size to the historic Venta Maersk that embarked on its remarkable journey in 2018.

Simultaneously, a capesize bulker, the largest-ever vessel to navigate the Arctic, en route from Russia to China.

This maritime movement is accompanied by the progress of two more Aframax oil tankers. Furthermore, a Chinese general cargo vessel is moving in the opposite direction.

Five years after the Danish container shipping leader Maersk pioneered the transit of the Northern Sea Route with the 3,600-Venta Maersk, another containership of comparable dimensions traverses the Arctic waterway.

Experts indicate that this marks only the second instance of a containership of this magnitude completing the full route.

The vessel in question is Xin Xin Tian 1 (IMO: 9320025), boasting a capacity of 2,700 TEU. Departing from Tianjin on August 4, it is expected to reach St Petersburg by September 5.

The notable journey of Xin Xin Tian 1, initially reported by HNN, has captured global attention.

The vessel's arrival in St Petersburg was commemorated with a reception and remarks from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Operated by New New International Shipping, the Xin Xin Tian 1's voyage heralds the initiation of the inaugural scheduled container shipping service between Russia and China across the Arctic.

Earlier this month, the company initiated a similar journey using the smaller New New Polar Bear (IMO: 9313204), capable of holding 1,638 TEU.

This voyage commenced from St Petersburg and is set to culminate in Shanghai via Qingdao and Tianjin.

The shipping company's plans encompass conducting containeship journeys from July to November.