Pakistan
ChinaKarachi to Shanghai shipping route.
5,207 nautical miles via Strait of Malacca, about 15.5 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Karachi and Shanghai
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
KarachiStrait of MalaccaShanghaiShipping time from Karachi to Shanghai
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Strait of Malacca (shortest) | 5,207 nm | 18.1 d | 15.5 d | 12.1 d |
| via Sunda Strait | 5,832 nm | 20.3 d | 17.4 d | 13.5 d |
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Live numbers for this lane from Navo apps, updated 2026-10-31.
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About the Karachi to Shanghai shipping route
Karachi to Shanghai is a 5,207 nautical mile shipping route via Strait of Malacca, heading east from Pakistan to China. That is 9,643 km of water against 5,346 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 15.5 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 18.1 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 12.1. Liner schedules on the lane quote 21 to 30 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 9 sailings by 2 carriers (CMA CGM and Maersk).
The next option is via Sunda Strait, 5,832 nautical miles, 625 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Sunda Strait is congested or closed.
Recent freight rates for PKKHI to CNSHA start at $2,800 for a 20GP and $2,700 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 Shanghai (CNSHA) 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 64 port to port routes from Karachi in this directory, Shanghai is the 30th shortest. Closer destinations include Ningbo (5,093 nm), Cape Town (4,831 nm) and Algeciras (4,821 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Karachi to Shanghai?
The port to port distance from Karachi to Shanghai is 5,207 nautical miles (9,643 km), via Strait of Malacca. The route passes Strait of Malacca.
What is the shipping time from Karachi to Shanghai?
About 15.5 days at 14 knots and 12.1 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 21 to 30 days.
What are freight rates from Karachi to Shanghai?
Recent spot rates for PKKHI to CNSHA start at $2,800 per 20GP and $2,700 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Shanghai to Karachi has its own page with the same distance and route.
More port to port distance
- Karachi to
Nhava Sheva535 nm - Karachi to
Jebel Ali743 nm - Karachi to
Salalah950 nm - Karachi to
Colombo1,419 nm - Karachi to
Djibouti1,601 nm - Karachi to
Jeddah2,212 nm - Qingdao to Shanghai410 nm
Busan to Shanghai469 nm- Incheon to Shanghai538 nm
- Dalian to Shanghai553 nm
- Xiamen to Shanghai589 nm
Kaohsiung to Shanghai635 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.