South Africa
MexicoCape Town to Manzanillo shipping route.
8,273 nautical miles via Panama Canal, about 24.6 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Cape Town and Manzanillo
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
Cape TownPanama CanalManzanilloShipping time from Cape Town to Manzanillo
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Panama Canal (shortest) | 8,273 nm | 28.7 d | 24.6 d | 19.2 d |
| via Strait of Magellan | 8,891 nm | 30.9 d | 26.5 d | 20.6 d |
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About the Cape Town to Manzanillo shipping route
Cape Town to Manzanillo is a 8,273 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading west from South Africa to Mexico. That is 15,322 km of water against 14,169 km as the crow flies. 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 24.6 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 28.7 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 19.2. 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 Cape Town and Manzanillo to plan the full ocean transit time.
The next option is via Strait of Magellan, 8,891 nautical miles, 618 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Magellan is congested or closed.
Container freight rates on Cape Town to Manzanillo move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Manzanillo (MXZLO) 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 Cape Town in this directory, Manzanillo is the 59th shortest. Closer destinations include Dalian (8,160 nm), Incheon (8,144 nm) and Busan (8,075 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Cape Town to Manzanillo?
The port to port distance from Cape Town to Manzanillo is 8,273 nautical miles (15,322 km), via Panama Canal. The route passes Panama Canal.
What is the shipping time from Cape Town to Manzanillo?
About 24.6 days at 14 knots and 19.2 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services add calls and transhipment.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Manzanillo to Cape Town has its own page with the same distance and route.
More port to port distance
- Cape Town to Durban875 nm
- Cape Town to
Lagos (Apapa)2,619 nm - Cape Town to
Mombasa2,631 nm - Cape Town to
Santos3,508 nm - Cape Town to
Buenos Aires3,846 nm - Cape Town to
Salalah4,010 nm 
Los Angeles to Manzanillo1,284 nm- Oakland to Manzanillo1,669 nm
Balboa to Manzanillo1,690 nm
Cartagena to Manzanillo2,017 nm
Callao to Manzanillo2,443 nm- Seattle to Manzanillo2,498 nm
How we count: sea routes follow shipping lanes and canals, time is pure steaming at 14 knots without port calls. Engine navo-distance-time 0.3.0. See all sea distance between ports or the Shipping Routes Directory.