Sea routes
Compare sea routes
Choose two to four voyages to compare distance, estimated transit time, chokepoints and service patterns, and see them drawn together on the map.
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- Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Houston
- Cai Mep – Thi Vai → New York / New Jersey
| Choose routes | Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Houston | Cai Mep – Thi Vai → New York / New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. distance | 11,630 nm | 12,100 nm |
| Transit (direct) | 30–35 days | 31–37 days |
| With transshipment | 33–42 days | 34–44 days |
| Sailing time at 16–18 kn | 26.9–30.3 days | 28.0–31.5 days |
| Straits & canals | Luzon Strait, Panama Canal | Luzon Strait, Panama Canal |
| Service pattern | Direct & transshipment options | Direct & transshipment options |
| Typical hubs | Busan, Shanghai | Busan, Singapore |
| Alternative routing | — | Via Suez Canal: 10,780 nm, 28–32 days |
| Points to watch |
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Suez Canal vs Cape of Good Hope (Asia – Europe)
Estimated distance and transit for the same voyage via the Suez Canal and via the Cape of Good Hope. The Cape routing avoids the Red Sea but adds distance, fuel and time.
| Voyage | Via Suez | Via Cape of Good Hope | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Rotterdam | 8,980 nm 24–28 days |
12,490 nm 31–37 days |
+3,510 nm +7–9 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Hamburg | 9,250 nm 24–29 days |
12,760 nm 32–37 days |
+3,510 nm +8–8 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Antwerp-Bruges | 8,980 nm 24–28 days |
12,490 nm 31–37 days |
+3,510 nm +7–9 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Felixstowe | 8,920 nm 24–28 days |
12,440 nm 31–36 days |
+3,520 nm +7–8 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Le Havre | 8,810 nm 23–28 days |
12,330 nm 31–36 days |
+3,520 nm +8–8 days |
| Hai Phong → Rotterdam | 9,690 nm 25–30 days |
13,210 nm 33–38 days |
+3,520 nm +8–8 days |
| Hai Phong → Hamburg | 9,960 nm 26–31 days |
13,480 nm 33–39 days |
+3,520 nm +7–8 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Genoa | 7,200 nm 20–24 days |
12,470 nm 31–36 days |
+5,270 nm +11–12 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Barcelona | 7,250 nm 20–24 days |
11,940 nm 30–35 days |
+4,690 nm +10–11 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Valencia | 7,350 nm 20–24 days |
11,790 nm 29–35 days |
+4,440 nm +9–11 days |
| Cai Mep – Thi Vai → Piraeus | 6,270 nm 18–21 days |
12,960 nm 32–38 days |
+6,690 nm +14–17 days |
Distances are the sum of great-circle legs between waypoints along the usual sea lanes, through the relevant straits and canals, rounded to the nearest 10 nautical miles. Transit ranges assume a typical service speed of 16–18 knots plus time for intermediate port calls and canal transits; transshipment adds several days for the connection at the hub. Figures are estimates for planning and comparison, not carrier schedules.
Since early 2024, attacks on merchant ships around Bab-el-Mandeb led most carriers to divert Asia–Europe, Asia–Mediterranean and some Asia–US East Coast services around the Cape of Good Hope, adding roughly 3,000–3,500 nm and about 7–14 days depending on the route and service speed. Some carriers have since tested or resumed Suez transits on selected services. Routing is decided per service by each carrier, so check the current routing when you book.
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