Storyline: First container ship arrives in UK via China-Europe Arctic Express route [Voice_over] Out of the darkness it came - a modest end to a journey as adventurous, as daring - and as significant as any taken by the explorers of old. [Stand_up] Jeff Moody, Reporter: "Well, the Istanbul Bridge is pulling alongside right now. It's just completed its journey from China to the UK. Seven and a half thousand nautical miles. And it did it in just 20 days, earning the company Sea Legend, a place in history." [Voice_over] Traditionally, cargo vessels coming from the East into Europe, have had to navigate their way through 11,000 nautical miles, passing through the Suez Canal, in a journey that can take nearly two months. But not the Istanbul Bridge. Going over the North Pole almost halves the mileage, halves the journey time, halves the carbon emissions …. Making trade between East and West faster, cheaper, easier. [Sound_bite] Andy Thorne, CEO, Kestrel Liner Agencies: "To actually celebrate being part of history, you know, like the first man on the moon…. I just spoke to the captain and said, you know, you're the Neil Armstrong of the shipping world. You've done it. You came across the North Pole all the way down to Europe in the fastest transit time." [Voice_over] Why now? Melting arctic ice means a route across the North Pole has opened up for the first time. Not only it is shorter, it's less politically challenging too. [Sound_bite] Andy Thorne, CEO, Kestrel Liner Agencies: "We've faced Houthis. We faced Somalians. We've had to go around the Cape. That's increased transit times, increased costs, more fuel, more pressure on the environment, more people holding global trade to ransom. Coming across a place that's neutral from China to Europe is going to reduce those impacts and eventually be better for consumers. Because once the Suez Canal no longer controls the global trade or Panama, we'll be able to reduce costs for consumers. And that's got to be good for global trade." [Voice_over] The plan now is to open up a China-Europe Arctic Expressway and run cargo ships from May till October. And once the ice melts further - eventually all year round. [Sound_bite] Marshall Feng, CEO, Sea Legend Line: "I think I would say it creates big value to the customers' supply chain because it is a shortened distance and the short transits, bring actual value to the customers' supply chain." [Voice_over] From China, to the North Pole, to Europe - and beyond. Today, this Chinese vessel has earned a place in history and a stake in the future too. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]