Algeciras to Djibouti shipping route.

Ships leaving Algeciras for Djibouti head east and cover a sea distance of 3,301 nautical miles (6,114 km), via Suez Canal. The straight line between the ports is 5,565 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Gibraltar, Bab-el-Mandeb and Suez Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

Pure steaming time is 9.8 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 11.5 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 7.6. Container transit time on a liner service is longer than the steaming time: ships call at other ports on the rotation, and cargo may transship at a hub. Add terminal time at Algeciras and Djibouti to plan the full ocean transit time.

1,925 nm of the route, 58% of it, lies inside Mediterranean Sea ECA. In an emission control area ships must burn fuel with no more than 0.1% sulphur or clean the exhaust with scrubbers. That fuel costs more, and carriers add it to the ocean freight bill as a low sulphur or ECA surcharge.

Container freight rates on Algeciras to Djibouti move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Djibouti (DJJIB) carriers give about 10 free days before demurrage and detention charges start, so plan the truck or rail pickup before the box lands.

Of the 65 port to port routes from Algeciras in this directory, Djibouti is the 20th shortest. Closer destinations include New York (3,209 nm), Lagos (Apapa) (3,189 nm) and Jeddah (2,641 nm).