Laem Chabang to Rotterdam shipping route.

Ships leaving Laem Chabang for Rotterdam head north west and cover a sea distance of 9,178 nautical miles (16,997 km), via Suez Canal. The straight line between the ports is 9,301 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Gibraltar, Bab-el-Mandeb, Strait of Malacca and Suez Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

Pure steaming time is 27.3 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 31.9 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 21.2. Liner schedules on the lane quote 29 to 50 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 42 sailings by 4 carriers (CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE and OOCL).

The shortest route goes through the Red Sea. Since attacks on shipping began there in late 2023, many carriers send ships via Cape of Good Hope instead. That route is 12,621 nautical miles, 3,444 more, and adds about 10.3 days at 14 knots. Longer voyages burn more fuel and tie up more ships, which is why freight rates on Red Sea lanes jumped when the diversions started.

2,341 nm of the route, 26% of it, lies inside North Sea ECA and Mediterranean Sea 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 NLRTM start at $2,207 for a 20GP and $3,362 for a 40GP ($2,919 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 Rotterdam (NLRTM) 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 65 port to port routes from Laem Chabang in this directory, Rotterdam is the 51st shortest. Closer destinations include Antwerp (9,159 nm), London Gateway (9,107 nm) and Felixstowe (9,106 nm).