From Port Technology:

In a bid to explore navigation in the Northwest Passage and develop ships that are suitable for Trans-Arctic shipping, Cosco and classification service provider American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) have signed a cooperation agreement, which also aims to expand Cosco’s use of the Northeast Passage, according to World Maritime News.

It was previously reported that Cosco was planning to launch several regular shipping services in a bid to significantly step up its trading ambitions with Europe.

While the Northwest Passage has been viewed as a much faster route in comparison to the Suez and Panama Canal, it is still a treacherous area for commercial shipping.

More at Port Technology

Arctic shipping routes

Arctic shipping routes map