Montreal to Qingdao shipping route.

Montreal to Qingdao is a 11,999 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north from Canada to China. That is 22,223 km of water against 10,837 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.

At sea, the voyage lasts 41.7 days at 12 knots, 35.7 days at 14 knots and 27.8 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 21 to 60 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 75 sailings by 11 carriers (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, HMM and Hapag-Lloyd).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,751 nautical miles, 751 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

1,463 nm of the route, 12% 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 CAMTR to CNTAO start at $7,615 for a 20GP and $8,910 for a 40GP ($8,955 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 Qingdao (CNTAO) 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 65 port to port routes from Montreal in this directory, Qingdao is the 63rd shortest. Closer destinations include Shanghai (11,988 nm), Incheon (11,954 nm) and Kaohsiung (11,948 nm).