Pakistan, Aug. 22 -- South Korea is preparing to send its first trial container ship through the Arctic route. The voyage will test whether the northern sea route can support commercial shipping. The move comes as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global shipping. Governments and shipping companies are therefore exploring alternative maritime routes.

The container ship PanStar Acro will depart from Busan New Port on Saturday. It will travel toward Europe through the Arctic and return after completing the trial. The planned journey will take about 45 days. The ship will visit Felixstowe in Britain, Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Gdansk in Poland.

The Arctic route could significantly shorten travel between Asia and Europe...