Transit days at different speeds
Transit time is the sailing distance divided by speed, converted to days. The distances below come from our routing engine along real shipping lanes and chokepoints, so they already include canal and strait detours.
| Route | Distance (nm) | 12 kn | 14 kn | 16 kn | 18 kn | 20 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam to Singapore | 8,383 | 29.1 days | 24.9 days | 21.8 days | 19.4 days | 17.5 days |
| Shanghai to Los Angeles | 5,730 | 19.9 days | 17.1 days | 14.9 days | 13.3 days | 11.9 days |
| Singapore to Dubai | 3,494 | 12.1 days | 10.4 days | 9.1 days | 8.1 days | 7.3 days |
| Mumbai to Dubai | 1,161 | 4.0 days | 3.5 days | 3.0 days | 2.7 days | 2.4 days |
Transit time excludes port stays, canal queues, and weather. For a single route at your own speed, use the calculator, or browse the popular sea routes.
Frequently asked questions
How is sea transit time calculated?
Transit time is the sailing distance in nautical miles divided by the vessel's speed in knots, then converted to days (hours divided by 24). A 6,000 nm route at a steady 12 knots takes about 21 days at sea.
What speed should I use for a container ship?
Use your vessel's actual or planned service speed. Container services often run in the mid-teens to around 20 knots, and many operators have slowed down to save fuel. The table above shows how the same route changes across that range.
Does transit time include port stays, canal queues, or weather?
No. The estimate is sailing time at a constant speed along the route. Port turnaround, canal waiting time, pilotage, and weather routing all add time on top of it, so real voyages often take longer.