Algeciras to Manzanillo shipping route.

Algeciras to Manzanillo is a 6,080 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading west from Spain to Mexico. That is 11,261 km of water against 9,535 km as the crow flies. 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.

Pure steaming time is 18.1 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 21.1 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 14.1. 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 Manzanillo to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Strait of Magellan, 11,326 nautical miles, 5,246 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar is congested or closed.

180 nm of the route, 3% of it, lies inside 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 Manzanillo move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Manzanillo (MXZLO) carriers give about 7 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, Manzanillo is the 39th shortest. Closer destinations include Durban (5,958 nm), Callao (5,777 nm) and Colombo (5,450 nm).