Sri Lanka
ChinaColombo to Xiamen shipping route.
3,263 nautical miles via Strait of Malacca, about 9.7 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Colombo and Xiamen
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
ColomboStrait of MalaccaXiamenShipping time from Colombo to Xiamen
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Strait of Malacca (shortest) | 3,263 nm | 11.3 d | 9.7 d | 7.6 d |
| via Sunda Strait | 3,888 nm | 13.5 d | 11.6 d | 9.0 d |
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Reverse: Xiamen to ColomboShip Colombo to Xiamen with Navo
Live numbers for this lane from Navo apps, updated 2026-10-31.
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About the Colombo to Xiamen shipping route
Colombo to Xiamen is a 3,263 nautical mile shipping route via Strait of Malacca, heading north east from Sri Lanka to China. That is 6,043 km of water against 4,510 km as the crow flies. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Malacca.
Shipping time depends on speed. At 14 knots, a common container ship service speed, the passage takes 9.7 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 11.3 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 7.6. Liner schedules on the lane quote 12 to 37 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 15 sailings by 1 carrier (CMA CGM).
The next option is via Sunda Strait, 3,888 nautical miles, 625 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Sunda Strait is congested or closed.
Recent freight rates for LKCMB to CNXMN start at $3,514 for a 20GP and $3,714 for a 40GP. These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Xiamen (CNXMN) carriers give about 6 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 Colombo in this directory, Xiamen is the 18th shortest. Closer destinations include Yantian (3,059 nm), Hong Kong (3,038 nm) and Manila (2,962 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Colombo to Xiamen?
The port to port distance from Colombo to Xiamen is 3,263 nautical miles (6,043 km), via Strait of Malacca. The route passes Strait of Malacca.
What is the shipping time from Colombo to Xiamen?
About 9.7 days at 14 knots and 7.6 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 12 to 37 days.
What are freight rates from Colombo to Xiamen?
Recent spot rates for LKCMB to CNXMN start at $3,514 per 20GP and $3,714 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Xiamen to Colombo has its own page with the same distance and route.
More port to port distance
- Colombo to
Nhava Sheva931 nm - Colombo to Mundra1,265 nm
- Colombo to
Karachi1,419 nm - Colombo to
Port Klang1,420 nm - Colombo to
Singapore1,605 nm - Colombo to
Salalah1,838 nm - Ningbo to Xiamen475 nm
- Shanghai to Xiamen589 nm
Manila to Xiamen709 nm
Haiphong to Xiamen816 nm- Qingdao to Xiamen853 nm
Busan to Xiamen912 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.