China
AustraliaShanghai to Melbourne shipping route.
5,201 nautical miles direct, about 15.5 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Shanghai and Melbourne
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
ShanghaiSeaMelbourneShipping time from Shanghai to Melbourne
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| direct (shortest) | 5,201 nm | 18.1 d | 15.5 d | 12.0 d |
Sea Route Distance Calculator
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Live numbers for this lane from Navo apps, updated 2026-10-31.
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About the Shanghai to Melbourne shipping route
The shipping route from Shanghai, China to Melbourne, Australia covers 5,201 nautical miles port to port, on a direct course. On a globe the two ports sit 8,074 km apart, so the ship sails 1.19 times the straight line distance. No canals or major straits on this leg, the ship stays close to the direct line.
Shipping time depends on speed. At 14 knots, a common container ship service speed, the passage takes 15.5 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 18.1 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 12.0. Liner schedules on the lane quote 9 to 45 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 107 sailings by 14 carriers (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, HMM and Hapag-Lloyd).
Recent freight rates for CNSHA to AUMEL start at $2,300 for a 20GP and $3,686 for a 40GP ($4,600 for a 40HC). These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Melbourne (AUMEL) carriers give about 8 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, Melbourne is the 24th shortest. Closer destinations include Vancouver (5,165 nm), Seattle (5,144 nm) and Mundra (5,053 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Shanghai to Melbourne?
The port to port distance from Shanghai to Melbourne is 5,201 nautical miles (9,632 km), direct.
What is the shipping time from Shanghai to Melbourne?
About 15.5 days at 14 knots and 12.0 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 9 to 45 days.
What are freight rates from Shanghai to Melbourne?
Recent spot rates for CNSHA to AUMEL start at $2,300 per 20GP and $3,686 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Melbourne 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 - Sydney to Melbourne596 nm
Auckland to Melbourne1,683 nm
Tanjung Priok to Melbourne3,475 nm
Singapore to Melbourne3,936 nm
Port Klang to Melbourne4,193 nm
Manila to Melbourne4,495 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.