1. Cargo transportation distance
Short-distance shipping: Due to the relatively short distance, under normal circumstances, if it is ordinary container cargo transportation, it usually can arrive in about 1-2 days.
Mid-distance shipping: The transportation time is usually about 4-7 days. The ship needs to cross a certain sea area, and it may also be affected by factors such as port loading and unloading efficiency and route busyness.
Long-distance shipping: When the distance is far, the shipping time may take about 20-30 days. Another effect is long-distance shipping may be greatly affected by weather conditions. For example, in the monsoon season or the storm season in the North Atlantic, the ship may need to slow down or temporarily stop to avoid the wind, and the transportation time will also be extended.
2. Types of transport ships
Container ships: Modern large container ships are relatively fast, with a general speed of 20-25 knots, and under normal circumstances, the transportation time is relatively regular. This type of ship is mainly used to transport standardized containerized cargo, and the port loading and unloading equipment is also relatively adaptable, which can complete the loading and unloading operations relatively efficiently and reduce the stay time in the port.
Bulk carrier: The speed of bulk carriers is usually slightly slower than that of container ships, and the general speed is about 12-18 knots. Moreover, bulk carriers may be more complicated when loading and unloading cargo, and special loading and unloading equipment is required for loading and unloading. The cargo volume may also be large, and the loading and unloading time will be longer.
Tanker: The speed of tankers varies depending on the ship type. For example, the speed of very large crude oil tankers (VLCC) is generally around 12-16 knots. Tanker transportation also involves complex safety and environmental protection requirements, and may encounter situations where it is required to slow down or accept inspections.
3. Port loading and unloading efficiency
Efficient port: International large hub ports such as Singapore Port have advanced equipment, a large number of quay cranes and yard facilities, high loading and unloading efficiency, and generally can load and unload 30-40 containers per hour. The time for ships to dock here to load and unload cargo is relatively short, which can shorten the entire shipping cycle.
Ordinary ports: Some ports in developing regions may have relatively old equipment, low loading and unloading efficiency, and limited worker proficiency. It may take 30-60 minutes to load and unload a container, which increases the entire shipping time.
4. Weather and ocean conditions
In severe weather conditions, such as typhoons, hurricanes, and fog, ships must slow down or take shelter at nearby ports to ensure safety, which may delay them for several days or even more than a week. Ocean conditions such as waves and currents will also affect the actual speed of the ship. The speed of the ship will decrease when it is against the wind and against the current.