China
Sri LankaDalian to Colombo shipping route.
4,220 nautical miles via Strait of Malacca, about 12.6 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Dalian and Colombo
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
DalianStrait of MalaccaColomboShipping time from Dalian to Colombo
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Strait of Malacca (shortest) | 4,220 nm | 14.7 d | 12.6 d | 9.8 d |
| via Sunda Strait | 4,845 nm | 16.8 d | 14.4 d | 11.2 d |
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Live numbers for this lane from Navo apps, updated 2026-10-31.
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About the Dalian to Colombo shipping route
Dalian to Colombo is a 4,220 nautical mile shipping route via Strait of Malacca, heading south west from China to Sri Lanka. That is 7,816 km of water against 5,486 km as the crow flies. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Malacca.
Pure steaming time is 12.6 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 14.7 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 9.8. Liner schedules on the lane quote 11 to 35 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 27 sailings by 2 carriers (CMA CGM and Maersk).
The next option is via Sunda Strait, 4,845 nautical miles, 625 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Sunda Strait is congested or closed.
Recent freight rates for CNDLC to LKCMB start at $3,814 for a 20GP and $3,620 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 Colombo (LKCMB) 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 63 port to port routes from Dalian in this directory, Colombo is the 17th shortest. Closer destinations include Tanjung Priok (2,961 nm), Port Klang (2,901 nm) and Laem Chabang (2,655 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Dalian to Colombo?
The port to port distance from Dalian to Colombo is 4,220 nautical miles (7,816 km), via Strait of Malacca. The route passes Strait of Malacca.
What is the shipping time from Dalian to Colombo?
About 12.6 days at 14 knots and 9.8 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 11 to 35 days.
What are freight rates from Dalian to Colombo?
Recent spot rates for CNDLC to LKCMB start at $3,814 per 20GP and $3,620 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Colombo to Dalian has its own page with the same distance and route.
More port to port distance
- Dalian to
Busan544 nm - Dalian to Shanghai553 nm
- Dalian to Ningbo606 nm
- Dalian to Xiamen996 nm
- Dalian to
Kaohsiung1,042 nm - Dalian to
Yokohama1,165 nm 
Nhava Sheva to Colombo931 nm- Mundra to Colombo1,265 nm
Karachi to Colombo1,419 nm
Port Klang to Colombo1,420 nm
Singapore to Colombo1,605 nm
Salalah to Colombo1,838 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.