China
PakistanShanghai to Karachi shipping route.
5,207 nautical miles via Strait of Malacca, about 15.5 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Shanghai and Karachi
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
ShanghaiStrait of MalaccaKarachiShipping time from Shanghai to Karachi
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Strait of Malacca (shortest) | 5,207 nm | 18.1 d | 15.5 d | 12.1 d |
| via Sunda Strait | 5,832 nm | 20.3 d | 17.4 d | 13.5 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 Karachi shipping route
The shipping route from Shanghai, China to Karachi, Pakistan covers 5,207 nautical miles port to port, via Strait of Malacca. On a globe the two ports sit 5,346 km apart, so the ship sails 1.80 times the straight line distance. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Malacca.
At sea, the voyage lasts 18.1 days at 12 knots, 15.5 days at 14 knots and 12.1 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 21 to 30 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 9 sailings by 2 carriers (CMA CGM and Maersk).
The next option is via Sunda Strait, 5,832 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 PKKHI start at $2,800 for a 20GP and $2,700 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 Karachi (PKKHI) 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, Karachi is the 25th shortest. Closer destinations include Melbourne (5,201 nm), Vancouver (5,165 nm) and Seattle (5,144 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Shanghai to Karachi?
The port to port distance from Shanghai to Karachi is 5,207 nautical miles (9,643 km), via Strait of Malacca. The route passes Strait of Malacca.
What is the shipping time from Shanghai to Karachi?
About 15.5 days at 14 knots and 12.1 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 21 to 30 days.
What are freight rates from Shanghai to Karachi?
Recent spot rates for CNSHA to PKKHI start at $2,800 per 20GP and $2,700 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Karachi 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 Karachi535 nm
Jebel Ali to Karachi743 nm
Salalah to Karachi950 nm
Colombo to Karachi1,419 nm
Djibouti to Karachi1,601 nm
Jeddah to Karachi2,212 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.