Algeciras to Los Angeles shipping route.

Ships leaving Algeciras for Los Angeles head north west and cover a sea distance of 7,365 nautical miles (13,639 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 9,583 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Gibraltar and Panama Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

At sea, the voyage lasts 25.6 days at 12 knots, 21.9 days at 14 knots and 17.0 days at 18 knots. 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 Los Angeles to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Strait of Magellan, 12,337 nautical miles, 4,972 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar is congested or closed.

233 nm of the route, 3% of it, lies inside North American ECA, US Caribbean Sea ECA and 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 Los Angeles move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Los Angeles (USLAX) carriers give about 4 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, Los Angeles is the 43rd shortest. Closer destinations include Tanjung Priok (7,274 nm), Singapore (6,997 nm) and Port Klang (6,813 nm).