Port Said to Durban shipping route.

Port Said to Durban is a 4,648 nautical mile shipping route via Suez Canal, heading south from Egypt to South Africa. That is 8,607 km of water against 6,799 km as the crow flies. On the way the vessel passes Suez Canal and Bab-el-Mandeb, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

At sea, the voyage lasts 16.1 days at 12 knots, 13.8 days at 14 knots and 10.8 days at 18 knots. 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 Port Said and Durban to plan the full ocean transit time.

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 7,861 nautical miles, 3,214 more, and adds about 9.6 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.

Container freight rates on Port Said to Durban move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Durban (ZADUR) 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 Port Said in this directory, Durban is the 26th shortest. Closer destinations include Gdansk (4,137 nm), Gothenburg (3,741 nm) and Hamburg (3,562 nm).