Abstract: This study analyzed the technical requirements and potential economy of ships navigating the northern sea route through the Arctic. The development of a container-shipping network through the Northeast Passage was considered based on an analysis of container trade volume between China and Europe. The scheme for analyzing the economics of the technical requirements necessary for shipping to use the Northeast Passage in the Arctic was established, and the model for the analysis of shipping costs constructed. The cost of container transportation via the Northeast Passage was compared with the Suez Canal by varying the size of the container ships. Based on the assumption that Bergen in Norway would act as a hub–spoke harbor, it was concluded that the construction of such a facility in Europe would increase the comparative power of the Arctic passage. It was concluded that under current navigational environments, voyage time through the Arctic passage would not be reduced much in comparison with the passage through the Suez Canal, but voyage costs would be reduced by 10% and fuel consumption reduced by about 35%.

Key words: Arctic passage, container transport, harbor, cost analysis, shipping route