China
Sri LankaShanghai to Colombo shipping route.
3,813 nautical miles via Strait of Malacca, about 11.4 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Shanghai and Colombo
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
ShanghaiStrait of MalaccaColomboShipping time from Shanghai to Colombo
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Strait of Malacca (shortest) | 3,813 nm | 13.2 d | 11.3 d | 8.8 d |
| via Sunda Strait | 4,438 nm | 15.4 d | 13.2 d | 10.3 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 Colombo shipping route
Shanghai to Colombo is a 3,813 nautical mile shipping route via Strait of Malacca, heading south west from China to Sri Lanka. That is 7,061 km of water against 5,103 km as the crow flies. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Malacca.
Shipping time depends on speed. At 14 knots, a common container ship service speed, the passage takes 11.4 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 13.2 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 8.8. Liner schedules on the lane quote 13 to 40 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 37 sailings by 6 carriers (CMA CGM, Interasia, Maersk, MSC and ONE).
The next option is via Sunda Strait, 4,438 nautical miles, 625 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Sunda Strait is congested or closed.
Recent freight rates for CNSHA to LKCMB start at $3,150 for a 20GP and $3,286 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 Colombo (LKCMB) carriers give about 5 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, Colombo is the 18th shortest. Closer destinations include Tanjung Priok (2,553 nm), Port Klang (2,493 nm) and Laem Chabang (2,247 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Shanghai to Colombo?
The port to port distance from Shanghai to Colombo is 3,813 nautical miles (7,061 km), via Strait of Malacca. The route passes Strait of Malacca.
What is the shipping time from Shanghai to Colombo?
About 11.3 days at 14 knots and 8.8 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 13 to 40 days.
What are freight rates from Shanghai to Colombo?
Recent spot rates for CNSHA to LKCMB start at $3,150 per 20GP and $3,286 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Colombo 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 
Nhava Sheva to Colombo931 nm- Mundra to Colombo1,265 nm
Karachi to Colombo1,419 nm
Port Klang to Colombo1,420 nm
Singapore to Colombo1,605 nm
Salalah to Colombo1,838 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.