Charleston to Haiphong shipping route.

Charleston to Haiphong is a 11,471 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north from the United States to Vietnam. That is 21,245 km of water against 14,004 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.

At sea, the voyage lasts 39.8 days at 12 knots, 34.1 days at 14 knots and 26.6 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 32 to 108 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 34 sailings by 3 carriers (CMA CGM, MSC and ZIM).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 11,941 nautical miles, 470 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar is congested or closed.

367 nm of the route, 3% of it, lies inside North American 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.

Recent freight rates for USCHS to VNHPH start at $9,673 for a 20GP and $11,908 for a 40GP ($12,021 for a 40HC). These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Haiphong (VNHPH) carriers give about 4 free days before demurrage and detention charges start, so plan the truck or rail pickup before the box lands.

Of the 64 port to port routes from Charleston in this directory, Haiphong is the 64th shortest. Closer destinations include Laem Chabang (11,425 nm), Ho Chi Minh City (11,257 nm) and Manila (11,101 nm).