Seattle to London Gateway shipping route.

Seattle to London Gateway is a 8,972 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north east from the United States to the United Kingdom. That is 16,616 km of water against 7,725 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 31.2 days at 12 knots, 26.7 days at 14 knots and 20.8 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 Seattle and London Gateway to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Strait of Magellan, 14,434 nautical miles, 5,462 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Magellan is congested or closed.

1,710 nm of the route, 19% of it, lies inside North American ECA, US Caribbean Sea ECA and North Sea 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.

Container freight rates on Seattle to London Gateway move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At London Gateway (GBLGP) 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 64 port to port routes from Seattle in this directory, London Gateway is the 41st shortest. Closer destinations include Felixstowe (8,970 nm), Valencia (8,962 nm) and Le Havre (8,849 nm).