Laem Chabang to Houston shipping route.

Laem Chabang to Houston is a 12,284 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north from Thailand to the United States. That is 22,749 km of water against 14,947 km as the crow flies. 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 36.6 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 42.7 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 28.4. Liner schedules on the lane quote 36 to 65 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 51 sailings by 4 carriers (CMA CGM, Maersk, ONE and ZIM).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,562 nautical miles, 279 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal 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 THLCH to USHOU start at $7,400 for a 20GP and $8,775 for a 40GP ($8,825 for a 40HC). These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Houston (USHOU) 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 Laem Chabang in this directory, Houston is the 65th shortest. Closer destinations include Savannah (11,479 nm), Charleston (11,425 nm) and Callao (11,408 nm).