Houston to Haiphong shipping route.

Ships leaving Houston for Haiphong head north west and cover a sea distance of 11,416 nautical miles (21,142 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 13,909 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. 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 39.6 days at 12 knots, 34.0 days at 14 knots and 26.4 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 19 to 101 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 73 sailings by 4 carriers (CMA CGM, MSC, ONE and ZIM).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 13,079 nautical miles, 1,663 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar is congested or closed.

352 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 USHOU to VNHPH start at $9,746 for a 20GP and $11,812 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 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 65 port to port routes from Houston in this directory, Haiphong is the 60th shortest. Closer destinations include Manila (11,045 nm), Yantian (10,884 nm) and Hong Kong (10,884 nm).