China
South AfricaShanghai to Cape Town shipping route.
7,752 nautical miles via Cape of Good Hope, about 23.1 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Shanghai and Cape Town
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
ShanghaiCape of Good Hope · Sunda StraitCape TownShipping time from Shanghai to Cape Town
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Cape of Good Hope (shortest) | 7,752 nm | 26.9 d | 23.1 d | 17.9 d |
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Live numbers for this lane from Navo apps, updated 2026-10-31.
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About the Shanghai to Cape Town shipping route
The shipping route from Shanghai, China to Cape Town, South Africa covers 7,752 nautical miles port to port, via Cape of Good Hope. On a globe the two ports sit 12,989 km apart, so the ship sails 1.11 times the straight line distance. On the way the vessel passes Cape of Good Hope and Sunda Strait.
Pure steaming time is 23.1 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 26.9 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 17.9. Liner schedules on the lane quote 28 to 45 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 29 sailings by 7 carriers (CMA CGM, COSCO, MSC, ONE and OOCL).
Recent freight rates for CNSHA to ZACPT start at $3,820 for a 20GP and $5,310 for a 40GP. These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Cape Town (ZACPT) 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 64 port to port routes from Shanghai in this directory, Cape Town is the 38th shortest. Closer destinations include Mersin (7,651 nm), Port Said (7,280 nm) and Durban (7,031 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Shanghai to Cape Town?
The port to port distance from Shanghai to Cape Town is 7,752 nautical miles (14,357 km), via Cape of Good Hope. The route passes Cape of Good Hope, Sunda Strait.
What is the shipping time from Shanghai to Cape Town?
About 23.1 days at 14 knots and 17.9 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 28 to 45 days.
What are freight rates from Shanghai to Cape Town?
Recent spot rates for CNSHA to ZACPT start at $3,820 per 20GP and $5,310 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Cape Town to Shanghai has its own page with the same distance and route.
More port to port distance
- Shanghai to Qingdao410 nm
- Shanghai to
Busan469 nm - Shanghai to Incheon538 nm
- Shanghai to Dalian553 nm
- Shanghai to Xiamen589 nm
- Shanghai to
Kaohsiung635 nm - Durban to Cape Town875 nm
Lagos (Apapa) to Cape Town2,619 nm
Mombasa to Cape Town2,631 nm
Santos to Cape Town3,508 nm
Buenos Aires to Cape Town3,846 nm
Salalah to Cape Town4,010 nm
How we count: sea routes follow shipping lanes and canals, time is pure steaming at 14 knots without port calls. Engine navo-distance-time 0.3.0. See all sea distance between ports or the Shipping Routes Directory.