Vancouver to Piraeus shipping route.

Ships leaving Vancouver for Piraeus head north east and cover a sea distance of 10,027 nautical miles (18,571 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 9,777 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Strait of Gibraltar and Panama Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

At sea, the voyage lasts 34.8 days at 12 knots, 29.8 days at 14 knots and 23.2 days at 18 knots. Container transit time on a liner service is longer than the steaming time: ships call at other ports on the rotation, and cargo may transship at a hub. Add terminal time at Vancouver and Piraeus to plan the full ocean transit time.

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,856 nautical miles, 2,828 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

2,891 nm of the route, 29% of it, lies inside North American ECA, US Caribbean Sea ECA and Mediterranean Sea ECA. In an emission control area ships must burn fuel with no more than 0.1% sulphur or clean the exhaust with scrubbers. That fuel costs more, and carriers add it to the ocean freight bill as a low sulphur or ECA surcharge.

Container freight rates on Vancouver to Piraeus move with fuel prices, ship capacity and the season. Compare several carriers before booking: the cheapest sailing is often the slowest one. At Piraeus (GRPIR) carriers give about 6.75 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 Vancouver in this directory, Piraeus is the 53rd shortest. Closer destinations include Gdansk (9,753 nm), Nhava Sheva (9,698 nm) and Marsaxlokk (9,579 nm).