New York to Shanghai shipping route.

New York to Shanghai is a 10,678 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north from the United States to China. That is 19,777 km of water against 11,840 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 37.1 days at 12 knots, 31.8 days at 14 knots and 24.7 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 15 to 64 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 297 sailings by 10 carriers (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,392 nautical miles, 1,714 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

522 nm of the route, 5% 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 USNYC to CNSHA start at $6,077 for a 20GP and $8,370 for a 40GP ($8,248 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 Shanghai (CNSHA) 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 New York in this directory, Shanghai is the 54th shortest. Closer destinations include Incheon (10,645 nm), Tanjung Priok (10,461 nm) and Busan (10,209 nm).