Ho Chi Minh City to Cartagena shipping route.

The shipping route from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Cartagena, Colombia covers 10,521 nautical miles port to port, via Panama Canal. On a globe the two ports sit 17,641 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 31.3 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 36.5 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 24.4. 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 Ho Chi Minh City and Cartagena to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Suez Canal, 11,754 nautical miles, 1,233 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

Container freight rates on Ho Chi Minh City to Cartagena move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Cartagena (COCTG) 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 Ho Chi Minh City in this directory, Cartagena is the 59th shortest. Closer destinations include Balboa (10,193 nm), Buenos Aires (9,849 nm) and Gdansk (9,838 nm).