Lagos (Apapa) to Jeddah shipping route.

Ships leaving Lagos (Apapa) for Jeddah head north east and cover a sea distance of 5,808 nautical miles (10,756 km), via Suez Canal. The straight line between the ports is 4,194 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Suez Canal and Strait of Gibraltar, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

Pure steaming time is 17.3 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 20.2 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 13.4. 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 Lagos (Apapa) and Jeddah to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Cape of Good Hope, 7,425 nautical miles, 1,617 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Cape of Good Hope is congested or closed.

1,935 nm of the route, 33% of it, lies inside 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.

Container freight rates on Lagos (Apapa) to Jeddah move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Jeddah (SAJED) carriers give about 7 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 Lagos (Apapa) in this directory, Jeddah is the 29th shortest. Closer destinations include Savannah (5,320 nm), Montreal (5,277 nm) and Balboa (5,272 nm).