From Busan, through the Arctic, and back

A Korean container ship has become the first to complete a round trip from Busan to Europe via the Arctic route.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a ceremony in Busan on Oct. 13 welcoming the PanStar Acro’s return from a trial voyage on the Arctic route.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a ceremony in Busan on Oct. 13 welcoming the PanStar Acro’s return from a trial voyage on the Arctic route.

The PanStar Acro left Busan Port on Aug. 22, called at three European ports via the Arctic route and returned on Oct. 11, about 50 days later. It was the first time a Korean shipping company has made a round trip to Europe through the Arctic route with a container ship.