Balboa to Incheon shipping route.

Ships leaving Balboa for Incheon head north west and cover a sea distance of 8,620 nautical miles (15,965 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 14,179 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Panama Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

Shipping time depends on speed. At 14 knots, a common container ship service speed, the passage takes 25.7 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 29.9 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 20.0. 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 Balboa and Incheon to plan the full ocean transit time.

Container freight rates on Balboa to Incheon move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Incheon (KRINC) 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 Balboa in this directory, Incheon is the 44th shortest. Closer destinations include Salalah (8,331 nm), Busan (8,185 nm) and Melbourne (8,142 nm).