Cartagena to Manila shipping route.

Cartagena to Manila is a 9,820 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north west from Colombia to the Philippines. That is 18,187 km of water against 16,690 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 29.2 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 34.1 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 22.7. 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 Manila to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,482 nautical miles, 2,662 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar is congested or closed.

Container freight rates on Cartagena to Manila move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Manila (PHMNL) 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 Cartagena in this directory, Manila is the 59th shortest. Closer destinations include Yantian (9,659 nm), Hong Kong (9,659 nm) and Colombo (9,578 nm).