China
AustraliaShanghai to Sydney shipping route.
4,644 nautical miles direct, about 13.8 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Shanghai and Sydney
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
ShanghaiSeaSydneyShipping time from Shanghai to Sydney
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| direct (shortest) | 4,644 nm | 16.1 d | 13.8 d | 10.8 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 Sydney shipping route
Ships leaving Shanghai for Sydney head south east and cover a sea distance of 4,644 nautical miles (8,601 km), on a direct course. The straight line between the ports is 7,896 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. No canals or major straits on this leg, the ship stays close to the direct line.
Pure steaming time is 13.8 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 16.1 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 10.8. Liner schedules on the lane quote 10 to 122 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 123 sailings by 12 carriers (CMA CGM, COSCO, HMM, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk).
Recent freight rates for CNSHA to AUSYD start at $2,179 for a 20GP and $3,486 for a 40GP ($4,358 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 Sydney (AUSYD) 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, Sydney is the 19th shortest. Closer destinations include Colombo (3,813 nm), Tanjung Priok (2,553 nm) and Port Klang (2,493 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Shanghai to Sydney?
The port to port distance from Shanghai to Sydney is 4,644 nautical miles (8,601 km), direct.
What is the shipping time from Shanghai to Sydney?
About 13.8 days at 14 knots and 10.8 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 10 to 122 days.
What are freight rates from Shanghai to Sydney?
Recent spot rates for CNSHA to AUSYD start at $2,179 per 20GP and $3,486 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Sydney 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 - Melbourne to Sydney596 nm
Auckland to Sydney1,284 nm
Tanjung Priok to Sydney3,932 nm
Manila to Sydney3,938 nm
Singapore to Sydney4,223 nm- Kaohsiung to Sydney4,356 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.