China
KenyaShanghai to Mombasa shipping route.
6,333 nautical miles via Strait of Malacca, about 18.9 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Shanghai and Mombasa
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
ShanghaiStrait of MalaccaMombasaShipping time from Shanghai to Mombasa
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Strait of Malacca (shortest) | 6,333 nm | 22.0 d | 18.8 d | 14.7 d |
| via Sunda Strait | 6,684 nm | 23.2 d | 19.9 d | 15.5 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 Mombasa shipping route
Shanghai to Mombasa is a 6,333 nautical mile shipping route via Strait of Malacca, heading west from China to Kenya. That is 11,729 km of water against 9,472 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 18.9 days at sea. Slow steaming at 12 knots stretches it to 22.0 days, while 18 knots brings it down to 14.7. Liner schedules on the lane quote 12 to 45 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 41 sailings by 9 carriers (CMA CGM, China United Lines, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk and MSC).
The next option is via Sunda Strait, 6,684 nautical miles, 351 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Sunda Strait is congested or closed.
Recent freight rates for CNSHA to KEMBA start at $3,209 for a 20GP and $5,100 for a 40GP ($5,009 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.
Of the 64 port to port routes from Shanghai in this directory, Mombasa is the 32nd shortest. Closer destinations include Djibouti (5,985 nm), Los Angeles (5,749 nm) and Jebel Ali (5,710 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Shanghai to Mombasa?
The port to port distance from Shanghai to Mombasa is 6,333 nautical miles (11,729 km), via Strait of Malacca. The route passes Strait of Malacca.
What is the shipping time from Shanghai to Mombasa?
About 18.8 days at 14 knots and 14.7 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 12 to 45 days.
What are freight rates from Shanghai to Mombasa?
Recent spot rates for CNSHA to KEMBA start at $3,209 per 20GP and $5,100 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Mombasa 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 
Salalah to Mombasa1,590 nm
Durban to Mombasa1,759 nm
Djibouti to Mombasa1,805 nm
Karachi to Mombasa2,411 nm
Jeddah to Mombasa2,417 nm
Nhava Sheva to Mombasa2,462 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.