Cartagena to Busan shipping route.

The shipping route from Cartagena, Colombia to Busan, South Korea 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.

Pure steaming time is 25.3 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 29.6 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 19.7. 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 Cartagena and Busan 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 Cartagena to Busan move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Busan (KRPUS) 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 Cartagena in this directory, Busan is the 43rd shortest. Closer destinations include Melbourne (8,470 nm), Sydney (8,162 nm) and Tokyo (8,149 nm).