Busan to Cartagena shipping route.

The shipping route from Busan, South Korea to Cartagena, Colombia covers 8,513 nautical miles port to port, via Panama Canal. On a globe the two ports sit 14,334 km apart, so the ship sails 1.10 times the straight line distance. On the way the vessel passes Panama Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

At sea, the voyage lasts 29.6 days at 12 knots, 25.3 days at 14 knots and 19.7 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 Busan and Cartagena to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Suez Canal, 13,656 nautical miles, 5,143 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

Container freight rates on Busan to Cartagena move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Cartagena (COCTG) 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 Busan in this directory, Cartagena is the 42nd shortest. Closer destinations include Piraeus (8,200 nm), Balboa (8,185 nm) and Cape Town (8,075 nm).