Busan to Karachi shipping route.

Ships leaving Busan for Karachi head west and cover a sea distance of 5,530 nautical miles (10,242 km), via Strait of Malacca. The straight line between the ports is 5,994 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Malacca.

Shipping time depends on speed. At 14 knots, a common container ship service speed, the passage takes 16.5 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 19.2 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 12.8. 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 Karachi to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Sunda Strait, 6,155 nautical miles, 625 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Sunda Strait is congested or closed.

Container freight rates on Busan to Karachi move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Karachi (PKKHI) carriers give about 5 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, Karachi is the 29th shortest. Closer destinations include Mundra (5,376 nm), Los Angeles (5,280 nm) and Auckland (5,232 nm).