Callao to Mersin shipping route.

Ships leaving Callao for Mersin head north east and cover a sea distance of 7,740 nautical miles (14,335 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 12,735 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.

Pure steaming time is 23.0 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 26.9 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 17.9. 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 Callao and Mersin to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Strait of Magellan, 11,096 nautical miles, 3,355 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar is congested or closed.

2,143 nm of the route, 28% 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 Callao to Mersin move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Mersin (TRMER) 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 Callao in this directory, Mersin is the 37th shortest. Closer destinations include Port Said (7,681 nm), Durban (7,412 nm) and Melbourne (7,363 nm).