Bertschi ISO tank containers join South Korea's first Arctic container trial voyage
As a result of recent geopolitical developments, global chemical supply chains continue to face disruptions and significantly longer transport routes. Against this background, route diversification is becoming increasingly important for maintaining reliable connections between Asia and Europe.
On August 22, 2026, PANSTAR ACRO, an ice-class container vessel certified for operation in polar waters, departed Busan on PanStar Line's first South Korean container trial voyage through the Northern Sea Route, opening a new era in maritime logistics. Bertschi ISO tank containers are part of the sailing and are bound for Gdansk, Poland.
The vessel's updated European rotation includes Felixstowe, Rotterdam, and Gdansk. Under the current schedule, PANSTAR ACRO is due to reach Rotterdam on September 10 and Gdansk on September 16.
The pilot sailing travels via the Bering Sea through Arctic waters on Russia’s Northern Sea Route and is intended to test a seasonal maritime connection between Northeast Asia and Northern Europe. Under PanStar's current schedule, the Busan-Rotterdam leg is planned at 19 days, offering a significantly shorter transit than the Asia-Europe routings currently operating around the Cape of Good Hope in about 40 days.
“Since establishing our Seoul subsidiary in 2024, we have focused on connecting Korean chemical producers with Bertschi's global ISO tank network,” said Justin Kim, General Manager of Bertschi Global Korea. “Participating in this first sailing is a concrete extension of that work and gives our team direct experience with an additional route to Europe.”
For Bertschi, the shipment is an exploratory step. The company will use the voyage to gather practical experience and assess the route's implications for ISO tank logistics, including schedule reliability, equipment condition and handling, regulatory requirements, and overall operational viability. The participation does not represent the launch of a regular Bertschi service.
“Resilient supply chains depend on understanding alternative transport corridors before they are urgently needed,” said Jan Arnet, CEO of Bertschi Group. “Our participation in this trial allows us to build operational knowledge at an early stage. Any future use of the route would be evaluated carefully against safety, compliance, reliability, environmental performance, and customer requirements.”
