A South Korean container ship, the Panstar Acro, has successfully completed a round trip from Zuid-Korea to Europa and back in fifty days, a feat previously considered impossible. Departing Busan on August 22nd, the 212-meter vessel visited several European ports, including Rotterdam on September 11th, utilizing the Northern Sea Route along northern Rusland. This route, which bypasses Rusland entirely, is now viable due to the impacts of climate change and diminishing sea ice, offering a significantly shorter distance compared to the Suez Canal. Previously, the route required expensive icebreaker assistance, but the Panstar Acro navigated it without, maintaining a comparable speed to the traditional route. Increased insecurity along the Suez Canal, due to piracy off the coast of Somalië and recent attacks by Houthi rebels off the coast of Jemen, is also driving interest in this alternative passage. The route is now a priority for Zuid-Korea, with plans for regular connections and further voyages by ships from China expected in 2026.