Australia
South AfricaMelbourne to Cape Town shipping route.
6,028 nautical miles via Cape of Good Hope, about 17.9 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Melbourne and Cape Town
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
MelbourneCape of Good HopeCape TownShipping time from Melbourne to Cape Town
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Cape of Good Hope (shortest) | 6,028 nm | 20.9 d | 17.9 d | 14.0 d |
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About the Melbourne to Cape Town shipping route
Ships leaving Melbourne for Cape Town head south west and cover a sea distance of 6,028 nautical miles (11,164 km), via Cape of Good Hope. The straight line between the ports is 10,309 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Cape of Good Hope.
Shipping time depends on speed. At 14 knots, a common container ship service speed, the passage takes 17.9 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 20.9 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 14.0. 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 Melbourne and Cape Town to plan the full ocean transit time.
Container freight rates on Melbourne to Cape Town move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Cape Town (ZACPT) carriers give about 3 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 Melbourne in this directory, Cape Town is the 25th shortest. Closer destinations include Nhava Sheva (5,776 nm), Durban (5,647 nm) and Dalian (5,599 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Melbourne to Cape Town?
The port to port distance from Melbourne to Cape Town is 6,028 nautical miles (11,164 km), via Cape of Good Hope. The route passes Cape of Good Hope.
What is the shipping time from Melbourne to Cape Town?
About 17.9 days at 14 knots and 14.0 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services add calls and transhipment.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Cape Town to Melbourne has its own page with the same distance and route.
More port to port distance
- Melbourne to Sydney596 nm
- Melbourne to
Auckland1,683 nm - Melbourne to
Tanjung Priok3,475 nm - Melbourne to
Singapore3,936 nm - Melbourne to
Port Klang4,193 nm - Melbourne to
Manila4,495 nm - Durban to Cape Town875 nm
Lagos (Apapa) to Cape Town2,619 nm
Mombasa to Cape Town2,631 nm
Santos to Cape Town3,508 nm
Buenos Aires to Cape Town3,846 nm
Salalah to Cape Town4,010 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.