Algeciras to Vancouver shipping route.

Ships leaving Algeciras for Vancouver head north west and cover a sea distance of 8,600 nautical miles (15,927 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 8,708 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 29.9 days at 12 knots, 25.6 days at 14 knots and 19.9 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 Vancouver to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Strait of Magellan, 13,514 nautical miles, 4,914 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar is congested or closed.

1,468 nm of the route, 17% 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 Vancouver move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Vancouver (CAVAN) carriers give about 3 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, Vancouver is the 52nd shortest. Closer destinations include Seattle (8,578 nm), Yantian (8,452 nm) and Hong Kong (8,430 nm).