Santos to Manzanillo shipping route.

Santos to Manzanillo is a 6,284 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north west from Brazil to Mexico. That is 11,638 km of water against 7,909 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.

Shipping time depends on speed. At 14 knots, a common container ship service speed, the passage takes 18.7 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 21.8 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 14.5. 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 Santos and Manzanillo to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Strait of Magellan, 7,072 nautical miles, 789 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Magellan is congested or closed.

Container freight rates on Santos to Manzanillo move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Manzanillo (MXZLO) 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 Santos in this directory, Manzanillo is the 28th shortest. Closer destinations include Mombasa (5,979 nm), Gothenburg (5,929 nm) and Piraeus (5,913 nm).